[UPDATE: August 21, 2016, 6 p.m.] Soon after our reporter got off the phone, the spot fire "got hammered with retardant and helicopters," Ford said. He's safely back at fire camp.
[UPDATE: August 21, 2016, 5:30 p.m.] Ray Ford, reporting on Rey Fire from out in the field, was at a campsite about a mile below Red Rock when he saw a spot fire coming within 100-200 yards of the river. A battalion car soon arrived, and we lost contact with Ford at that point.
Gina DePinto, communications manager with the county, emphasized that the fire has breached no containment lines and has not crossed the river. Forest Service Public Information Officer Daniel Madrigal reported late this afternoon that the wind was blowing from the west, causing a large plume of smoke to billow eastward, visible from town. Conditions remain hot, dry, with low winds, he stated; an update on fire stats will become available after 8 p.m.
