Benjamin Spillman

bspillman@rgj.com

It took a huge effort from firefighters to save a tiny Elko County town over the holiday weekend.

With fire racing toward the edge of Midas on Sunday firefighters used everything from bulldozers to 20 aircraft, including 15 air tankers, to stop the flames.

“I’ve watched wildfires my whole life in Nevada and the speed this thing was moving it was astonishing,” said Shannon Jackson, a part time Midas resident.

Jackson said he caught his first glimpse of the fire on Saturday during a UTV ride in the Snowstorm Mountains, more than 20 miles from the fire’s starting point near Battle Mountain, the result of a lightning strike.

Within 24 hours Jackson and other Midas homeowners were being told to evacuate.

“It is like a fire starting in Carson City and all of a sudden it is on your doorstep the next morning and you are in Reno,” Jackson said. “If it would have gotten to the bottom of the canyon it could have taken Midas out.”

The fire did burn through a ranch property at the north end of town, destroying an abandoned house. But it was subsequently stopped near Midas Road, thanks to a decision by firefighters to concentrate resources at the tiny town, which Jackson estimates has about eight to 10 full time residents in addition to part time residents.

Bureau of Land Management spokeswoman Robyn Broyles said firefighting efforts focused on Midas once it became clear high winds were carrying the lightning-started fire through light, grassy fuels and sagebrush toward town.

“We had engine crews and air tankers that were given the highest priorities to protect that community,” Broyles said.

So far the fire has burned more than 122,000 acres and is 5 percent contained. There are 350 personnel on the fire and the evacuation order for Midas has been lifted.

Wildfires: Tests show target shooting ignites vegetation

Turns out we still need to tell people not to start wildfires

With the town saved firefighting efforts are now prioritizing protection of habitat for sage grouse and mule deer and grazing grounds for livestock.

The estimated containment date is Thursday, July 7. But concerns remain, according to the latest update from the BLM.

“Firefighters main concern today is gusty winds that may blow embers across containment lines in the Z-Road Area,” an updated on the fire stated. “A rocky bluff area that is difficult to access is holding the fire in place this morning.”