Wildfires burn over 700 acres in eastern Nevada

Wildfires have blazed through prime mule deer habitat in eastern Nevada, scorching over 700 acres as high temperatures continue through the weekend. The cause of the two fires – one five miles north of the Shafter Exit of Interstate 80 between Wells and Wendover and another 60 miles northeast of Ely – is still unknown; however, firefighters have been able to contain nearly 80% so far, according to the Elko Daily Free Press.

The Elbow fire broke out some time on Tuesday as firefighters responded around 9 p.m. Another fire began on Monday afternoon. Together, both fires have burned 300 acres of pinyon and juniper trees near Toana Peak and 477 acres of pinyon-pine and juniper, brush and grass in north Spring Valley. Using single engine air tankers, a hand crew, one engine, a bulldozer and two water tenders plus a helicopter, firefighters have been working to contain the fire on the ground and full containment of both fires is expected by Saturday.

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