72 percent containment reported for Grapevine Fire in Caliente

Efforts in battling the Grapevine Fire in Lincoln County are paying off.

The wildfire in Caliente, estimated at 26,464 acres, is 72 percent contained, according to a Bureau of Land Management release.

Firefighters continue to strengthen, improve, and secure containment lines. In areas where the fire remains active, unburned fuels continue to present the potential for extreme fire behavior and rapid rates of spread.

Caliente is about 140 miles north of Las Vegas.

While grasses and other fine fuels are expected to burn quickly, heavier shrub fuels, including juniper, may retain heat for extended periods and continue to smolder until fully consumed.

Crews began seeding wildfire-disturbed areas, roadways, and dozer lines Wednesday with native grasses and shrubs provided by the BLM Nevada Carson City District, including wheatgrass and bottlebrush. Heavy equipment operators will mulch vegetative debris Thursday to help incorporate seed into the soil and improve seed-to-soil contact.

These suppression repair activities are designed to reduce the environmental impacts of wildfire suppression efforts while promoting long-term landscape resilience.

Weather and fire behavior

A warming trend will continue in the region through the weekend, with daytime highs approaching 80 degrees. Daily breezy afternoon winds, critically low relative humidity of 10 percent or less, and persistently dry conditions will continue to produce elevated fire weather conditions. No precipitation is expected.

Closures

Beaver Dam State Park remains closed until further notice. Eagle Valley Reservoir also remains closed to boating because of ongoing fire suppression operations.