A wind-driven fire consumed an estimated 2,000 acres, or more than 3 square miles, about 10 miles south of Reno, caused the evacuation of a school, threatened homes, forced a major highway to close. Firefighters had to contend with gale-force winds while battling the huge blaze that raced along the edge of valley south of Reno, the Associated Press reported.

More than 350 firefighters participated in the mission and about a dozen needed treatment after the winds gusting up to 68 mph blew dirt, ash and cinders in their eyes, Reno Fire Department spokesman Steve Frady said Tuesday night. Five firefighters were taken to hospital.

The Skinner Fire started just before 2 p.m. and was pushed north toward Pleasant Valley and Andrew Lane before moving east away from homes, Steve Frady said.

"It was gusting, really pushing hard. We were getting dust in our eyes continuously," Frady was quoted as saying by the AP. "Right now, the winds have diminished a little bit, so that may help us out."

There were no reports of any other injuries or damage to homes although the blaze surrounded three homes in the hills between Washoe Valley and Pleasant Valley. Some vehicles on Willbuck Road may have been burned, Frady said. Students at Pleasant Valley Elementary School were evacuated on buses to Galena High School on Reno's south side.

The fire has not destroyed visitor facilities at Grand Canyon National Park and was not threatening structures or the community of Tusayan, south of the Grand Canyon, said Jacqueline Denk, a spokeswoman for the Kaibab National Forest, according to the AP.