Cottonwood Peak Fire 40% contained amid monsoon conditions, officials say

Monsoon conditions are helping further contain the Cottonwood Peak Fire in Northern Nevada, according to officials who announced Monday that it was “a great day to put a fire out.”

About 40 percent of the blaze had been contained by Monday morning, up from 20 percent containment two days earlier, federal officials said in news releases.

The massive burn area that was affecting 132,685 acres is located 3 miles north of Tuscarora, which is about 500 highway miles north of Las Vegas.

The fire was sparked on Aug. 15.

“The fire footprint is under the influence of monsoonal moisture increasing relative humidity and precipitation,” officials said Sunday night about gains during the previous 24 hours.

Firefighters then worked overnight to extinguish hot spots, officials said. An unmanned “infrared heat seeking flight” was planned Monday.

Weather conditions, however, had raised concerns about gusty conditions and increased precipitation that can trigger flooding, debris and slick roads, officials said.

“With lightning in the forecast again Monday afternoon and evening, the threat of new fire starts and the potential for initial attack in our area continues,” according to a news release. “Additional fire growth is not expected moving forward barring any unforeseen weather conditions.”

There were 1,036 personnel combating the fire, officials noted.

Nevada Highway 226 remained restricted to only allow local traffic and residents were warned about “heavy vehicle traffic” from emergency vehicles.

Campgrounds in the area were shut down.

Contact Ricardo Torres-Cortez at rtorres@reviewjournal.com.