Brush fire rages near Reno

Firefighters battle a wind-driven brush fire burning through Pleasant Valley, south of Reno, on Thursday. Reno Fire Chief Michael Hernandez says crews were able to stop the wall of flames before it reached a high school. (Cathleen Allison / Associated Press)

Associated Press

Jan. 19, 2012 12 AM PT

A wind-whipped brush fire in a Nevada valley between Carson City and Reno forced more than 10,000 people to evacuate and destroyed more than 20 homes. But it was being beaten back Thursday night. The Associated Press reported that one person had died. Full story

The ruins of a home in Pleasant Valley smolder Thursday. Winds gusting up to 82 mph pushed a fast-moving brush fire south of Reno out of control, burning more than 20 homes. (Cathleen Allison / Associated Press)

Highway 395 was closed for hours as firefighters battled a wind-driven brush fire burning through Pleasant Valley, south of Reno. (Cathleen Allison / Associated Press)