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Elko County fire chief warns of continued dry conditions; county crews assisting reseeding after Midas fire
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Summary
Chief Peterson told commissioners dry conditions likely persist into October and described county support for post-fire stabilization, including dozer-line reseeding and coordination with BLM and Forest Service after the Midas fire; commissioners asked about livestock impacts and requested follow-up.
Elko County’s fire chief told the Board of Fire Commissioners the short- and mid-term forecasts still indicate dry conditions into October and that local agencies are preparing for continued fire risk and some prescribed burns later in the season.
Chief Peterson said, despite hopes for relief in November, the district remains cautious about open burning and plans to conduct prescribed-fire projects when conditions allow. He told commissioners he expects any new starts could run for an extended period before nighttime humidity and cooler temperatures slow them.
When Commissioner Stenger asked whether ranchers lost cattle during a recent Tuscarora-area fire, Chief Peterson said he had not received reports of cattle losses but would follow up and get more information. Chairman asked staff (naming Rex and Curtis in the discussion) to work with affected ranchers and coordinate reseeding and recovery efforts with the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.
Chief Peterson described county suppression repairs and reseeding efforts: county crews completed suppression repairs and will assist with dozer-line reseeding; on the Midas fire BLM contracted emergency stabilization seeding over about 700 acres using a quick-germination annual seed to reduce mudslide risk, with BLM covering seed and flight costs. The board did not record specific timelines or funding sources for additional reseeding assistance beyond those descriptions.
