Fire north of Truckee quelled

Flames erupted north of Truckee Sunday, threatening the community of Russell Valley before aircraft and firefighters controlled the blaze.

“It started out in timber and it torched some trees,” said Scott Conway with the Truckee Ranger District.

The fire grew to nearly 15 acres, but as it moved into sage and grassland, the moisture in the vegetation was enough to slow the fire.

Before the blaze slowed, firefighters were planning evacuations for Russell Valley, a rural community of homes in between Stampede Reservoir and Prosser Reservoir.

“Russell Valley was really in its gun sights,” said Conway.

An air tanker and a helicopter battled the flames, as well as Forest Service, CalFire and Truckee Fire Protection District handcrews, said Conway.

The fire started on national forest land, and its cause has not been determined, said Conway.

Conway said that heat and low humidity during the rest of this week will make for significant fire danger.

“It’s early June and we’re already seeing some pretty significant fire indices,” he said.