Ward Fire Near Ely Grows to About 3,770 Acres With No Containment

Overview

• The fire on Ward Mountain south of Ely is estimated at roughly 3,770 acres with 0% containment and about 193 personnel assigned to the incident.
• Fire managers are relying primarily on aircraft, including bucket-equipped helicopters and a Nevada National Guard helicopter, to make targeted water and retardant drops where steep terrain prevents safe ground access.
• Burnout operations on the lower eastern flank were reported to be holding and crews are focused on establishing and reinforcing an eastern anchor point with dozer lines and handlines where safety allows.
• A local Type 3 Incident Management Team is coordinating a multi-agency response that includes engines, hand crews, dozers, water tenders and 11 air resources, but resource availability is limited by other large western fires.
• No structures are currently threatened and no evacuations are in effect; White Pine County Sheriff’s Office will coordinate evacuations if conditions change while the fire’s cause remains under investigation.