According to Jeff Fontana, Public Information Officer for the Bureau of Land Management Eagle Lake Office, the big focus is strengthening the fire lines in the northeastern corner where the fire is most active before southeast winds blow the fire in that direction.

Fontana said the east and west lines look good with crews mopping up and patrolling the west side and big chunks on the east.

Burn outs on the southwest side along Wendel Road were conducted Sunday, Aug. 19 andFontana said those were successful. Residents and motorists may have seen smoke from those burn outs.

The lightning caused fire started Sunday, Aug. 12. It hasburned 270,683 acres and is 50 percent contained. There are 677 personnel on the fire and air support will be available and used as needed. One barn has been damaged.

At one point approximately 30 structures were threatened, but now only six residencesare in danger.

Containment is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 25, but Fontana said wind gusts up to 25 to 30 miles per hourare expected the next several days and the focus is holding onto the fire lines through that.

The Northern Rockies Management Team assumed command from NorCal Team 2 at 6 a.m. this morning. Transitions of this sort are common and operations should remain seamless.

On August 17, the BLM issued a closure order for public lands in the fire area to protect public health and safety.Highway 395 on the west, the Sand Pass Road on the east, and the Wendel Road on the south bound the closed area.The new northern boundary for the public land closure is the Juniper Ridge, Tuledad, Stage Road, Marr Road, and Buckhorn Road extending to Nevada Highway 447 in Washoe County. Routes closed within this closure area include the Ramhorn Springs, Rye Patch Road, Buckhorn, Shinn Ranch, Stoney, Deep Cut, Smoke Creek, Skedaddle Ranch, Dry Valley, and Brubeck roads. The Ramhorn Springs Campground and the Dodge Reservoir Campground also is closed. Travelers along the Highway 395 corridor, should use caution where fire crews and equipment are working in the fire area.

Fire officials remind residents and visitors that fire restrictions are in effect for public lands and national forests in northeastern California. Campfires are permitted only in posted recreation sites.Chainsaws may not be used after 1 p.m. daily.