Fire forces closure of 25-miles of Nevada-California highway
RENO, Nev. (AP) — Authorities have closed a 25-mile stretch of highway crossing the Nevada-California border as firefighters battle spot fires, debris and smoke from a wildfire west of Reno.
The California Highway Patrol closed the eastbound Interstate 80 Tuesday morning near the town of Truckee as high winds drove a wildfire within 15 feet of the highway.
Nevada troopers closed the highway's westbound lanes near Verdi.
California Highway Patrol spokesman Officer Peter Mann did not know when the highway winding north of Lake Tahoe would be reopened. He says the fire is burning in a remote area but has caused some rocks to fall. No injuries were reported.
The 600 acre (242.82 hectare) fire started Monday but is not threatening structures. Investigators are trying to determine its cause.
Mann says drivers were being re-directed to a highway south closer to Lake Tahoe.
