Pack Fire rips through scenic Mono County
MONO COUNTY, Calif. — A fast-moving wildfire known as the Pack Fire burned across roughly 5.3 square miles (13.7 square kilometers) near the Nevada border on Thursday, damaging 15 structures, prompting evacuations and temporarily closing part of Highway 395 as crews battled strong winds.
The blaze, about 140 miles (225.3 kilometers) southeast of Sacramento, produced gusts up to 50 miles per hour (80.5 kilometers per hour) that briefly grounded emergency aircraft, Cal Fire said. By Thursday evening, however, the agency reported that "fire activity has decreased due to precipitation in the area."
"Crews will work through the night; additional resources are arriving tomorrow," Cal Fire said in a statement.
A section of Highway 395 was temporarily closed. An RV park at McGee Creek was described as "impacted," though officials had not immediately confirmed whether any occupied homes were destroyed. Evacuation shelters were established at a local middle school and the Tri-County Fairgrounds.
The origin of the fire remains under investigation as firefighters focus on containment and protecting nearby communities. Mono County, a rural area between the Sierra Nevada and the Nevada state line, is known for its dramatic mountain scenery, lakes and pine forests.
What to know
Area affected: ~5.3 square miles (13.7 sq km)
Structures damaged: 15
Weather impacts: Gusts up to 50 mph briefly grounded aircraft; evening precipitation helped reduce fire activity
Public response: Evacuation shelters opened; part of Highway 395 temporarily closed
Status: Fire was uncontained at last report; cause under investigation
