State of emergency declared in Douglas County

Updated 8:42pm:

The Bison Fire is at 21,337 acres and 25 percent containment.

Authorities say the threat to the 20 buildings is diminishing.

Douglas County commissioners declared a state of emergency. This allows the county to request additional state resources and assistance, as well as federal assistance, should the governor deem a state of emergency.

Updated 2:35pm:

Crews are gearing up for another wind event this afternoon and fire activity similar to yesterday.

The Bison Fire has grown to 17,000 acres.

No injuries have been reported, but the fire ran through the Slater Mine area destroying several old structures.

The following road closures for non-residents are in place for:

· Pine Nut Road at the intersection of Out-R-Way

· East Valley at Grandview

· Sunrise Pass at Coyote Rocks

· Brunswick Canyon

· Mexican Dam

· Sunrise Pass at Artesia Road.

Other voluntary evacuation notice remain in effect for about 20 structures in the area.

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Projected containment of the Bison Fire has been pushed back to July 14 because winds have hampered firefighting efforts.

Crews report progress was made overnight. However, Sunday’s winds dropped the containment of the Douglas County blaze to 15 percent.

The fire was extremely active on the northeast side on the afternoon of July 7 and into the evening. It is burning in the Pine Nut mountains.

The fire started from a lightning strike on July 4.

No injuries have been reported, but the fire ran through the Slate Mine area destroying several old structures. The number of structures destroyed is not known at this time.

Pine Nut Road remains closed to non-residents at the intersection of Out-R-Way. A voluntary evacuation notice remains in effect for about 20 structures in the area.

Officials are asking people to stay out of the area.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report