LOVELOCK — A fire that started Sunday afternoon (June 17) in Rochester Canyon, adjacent to the Coeur Rochester Mine, is expected to be contained Monday (June 18).

According to Donovan Walker, Assistant Fire Management Officer at the BLM Winnemucca Office, the fire burned approximately 1,010 acres. Containment was estimated by 8 p.m. today (June 18) and control was expected tomorrow (June 19).

Due to the loss of power to the area, Coeur Rochester Mine ceased operations Sunday afternoon.

According to Stefany Bales, Director of Corporate Communications for CR’s parent company, Coeur d’Alene, the mine expected the restoration of power on Tuesday.

The fire did not burn within the mine’s plan of operations, Bales said, but it was smoky at the mine site on Sunday.

The fire burned over several jurisdictions, but was primarily on federal land.

Resources responding to the fire included 5 Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs), 5 BLM engines,  2 BLM water tenders, 2 BLM dozers, 2 chief officers, 4 hand crews, 2 engines and a water tender from Pershing County.
Fire investigators from the BLM and Pershing County are currently investigating the cause of the fire.

Walker added crews remain on scene mopping-up on Monday.  Fire danger remains high as high winds and low relative humidity persist through the day. Crews will begin demobilization tomorrow.