UPDATE: Man charged in connection with Nevada wildfire

LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) — A 40-year-old man faces a third-degree arson charge in connection to a wildfire that temporarily closed Interstate 80 and disrupted rail service, officials said. Several thousand residents in the area lost power.

The man “tentatively identified” as Johnnie Donald is accused of actions that ignited the 1,786-acre Ragland Fire in Humboldt County. He was taken into custody and charged with third-degree arson, negligence and violations of laws pertaining to illegal burning, officials said.

The fire on Bureau of Land Management property just southwest of Winnemucca on Interstate 80 is expected to be fully contained by Wednesday night after it was started Tuesday. The fire quickly spread due to dry conditions, endangering nearby properties and ranching operations, according to the BLM.

About a dozen homes or other structures were threatened at one point, but no injuries or damage were reported so far, the BLM said. Winnemucca is about 165 miles northeast of Reno

A stretch of the Amtrak route that travels between Chicago and Oakland, California, remained closed as safety inspectors assessed any potential damage.

“This incident underscores the extreme danger posed by illegal burns, particularly during high-risk fire conditions,” Sheriff Angel Cardenas said. “We want to remind the public of the serious legal consequences and the potential harm these actions can cause.

The suspect is currently being held at the Humboldt County Detention Center and the investigation is continuing.

If you have information related to this case, contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (775) 623-6419.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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