May Ray Fire containment now expected on Sunday
Updated 10:45pm Aug. 19
By Jeff Delong, Reno Gazette-Journal
Full containment for the 3,895-acre wildfire in Douglas County has been pushed back to Sunday, Sierra Front fire responders report Friday night. Now at 85 percent containment, the fire continued to smolder Friday, officials said.
Two 15-year-old boys suspected of starting a wildfire that burned more than five square miles southeast of Gardnerville will remain in detention until a hearing can be held.
District Judge David Gamble denied requests by defense lawyers Thursday to place the teenagers under house arrest or in the custody of their parents.
Defense lawyers said that the Ray May Fire, which has an estimated 3,895 acres, was an accident that went terribly wrong. Officials said the teenagers built a campfire near a makeshift fort and didn’t properly extinguish it.
But prosecutors said that one of the boys allegedly admitted starting other fires.
KRNV News 4 reported that Gamble offered to recuse himself because he lived in the fire area, but both the prosecution and defense opted to keep him on the case.
The Ray May Fire was 85 percent contained Friday night, and fire crews expected to have a line completely around the fire by Sunday, two days later than originally estimated earlier in the week. The fire continued to creep and smolder on Friday, Sierra Front fire responders said.
Seven structures burned, including one unoccupied dwelling owned by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, a seasonal guest house on private land, and five outbuildings.
Pinenut Road was closed for everyone except residents Friday.