Lightning Touches Off Fires Near Reno; Crews Prevent Any Damage

RENO —  Firefighters were busy responding to another round of wildfires touched off by lightning Wednesday afternoon in western Nevada.

U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Anna Maria said firefighters were battling about a dozen wildfires in the region.

There were no reports of injuries or damage to homes.

Maria said the top priority was a 500-acre brush fire in Hungry Valley, north of Reno, which was threatening some homes.

The second priority was the 200-acre Mitchell Canyon fire on Peavine Mountain just west of the city.

The fire sent up a smoke plume that could be seen for miles, but it was not threatening any homes.

Firefighters were also battling smaller blazes near Reno area and about half a dozen small fires in the Carson City area.

Meanwhile, firefighters gained the upper hand on a wildfire that blackened more than 1,000 acres near Gardnerville.

Fire officials said the blaze near the China Spring Youth Camp, 10 miles southeast of Gardnerville, was contained by Wednesday evening. At one point, the fire threatened as many as 10 homes and forced an evacuation at the camp.