The Conner fire burning in the Pine Nuts east of Gardnerville is estimated to have grown to 2,000-2,500 acres, according to the incident command located at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

An aircraft was dropping fire retardant on the fire as a firefighting helicopter flew buckets of water to the area east of Out R Way in the Pine Nut foothills.

The Conner Fire is named after the street where a 1:30 a.m. structure fire claimed two homes along the west edge of Pine View Estates. By 4 a.m. the fire spread into the old Numbers Burn and was burning north.

At firefighters’ request, NV energy shut power to 62 customers around 9:41 a.m. Most of those are located in Pine View Estates but there are a dozen scattered through the Pine Nut foothills.

A red flag warning is in effect through midnight tonight for gusty winds and low humidity, contributing to fire spread.

As of 10 a.m., authorities were closing Pine Nut 2 and Out R Way between Ruhenstroth and Fish Springs as winds gusting to 23 mph pushed the flames north.

“New evacuation orders have been issued for Pine Nut Road from Dump Road to Out R Way due to increased fire activity,” according to Douglas County.

“Reverse 911 notifications are being issued to alert residents in the affected zones,” said Douglas County spokesman Eric Cachinero. “All individuals in evacuation areas should leave immediately and follow instructions from emergency personnel. Do not delay evacuation to gather belongings.”

Cachinero directed evacuees to the Douglas County Community & Senior Center in Gardnerville during the day.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue has been working the barricades and reported a couple of people claiming to be residents drove past them.

The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch reports state and federal resources have responded to the fire.

Fire engines and brush trucks responded to the blaze. Members of Tahoe Douglas Zephyr hand crew were staged along Pine Nut 2.

The incident command for the fire is at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

Reno Fire is sending two engines to the fire and additional resources are being sought from Truckee Meadows.