Northern Nevada firefighters hope to surround blaze

GARDNERVILLE -- Fire officials said Thursday the Ray May fire, which has burned thousands of acres southeast of Gardnerville, is 50 percent contained, and firefighters hope to have it fully surrounded by late today.

Officials clarified that the one structure that was lost was a nonoccupied residence owned by the Bureau of Land Management. The other was a seasonal guesthouse on private land.

By Thursday afternoon, authorities estimated the fire's size at 3,600 acres or more than five square miles.

Douglas County sheriff's officials arrested two 15-year-old boys accused of starting the blaze Tuesday by not extinguishing a campfire they had built near a makeshift fort. They are charged with felony third-degree arson.

Voluntary evacuations are continuing in the area.

More than 400 firefighters, five air tankers and six helicopters are fighting the blaze.