DAYTON, Nev. (AP) - Firefighters have reported progress in their battle against a 471-acre wildfire that's burning in sage grouse habitat in the northern end of the Pine Nut Mountains near Dayton.

The fire is 80% contained, with full containment expected on Saturday, May 10th, at 6pm.

Kat Gonzales of the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center in Minden said the fire around Rawe Peak, near the ghost town of Como, was 40 percent contained Friday morning.

No homes were threatened, and no injuries were reported.

Gonzales said Friday's plans called for a heavy attack by air tankers and helicopters on the blaze, about 17 miles east of Carson City.

Crews are facing steep, rugged terrain as the fire is being fueled by a heavy growth of sagebrush, and pinion and juniper trees, she said.

The fire was human caused and remains under investigation,
authorities said.

Wildfires, development and industry have steadily cut into the habitat of sage grouse, a bird about the size of a chicken that is found on sagebrush plains and high desert from Colorado to California and north into southern Canada.

The federal government is under a judge's order to reconsider an
earlier decision against listing the sage grouse as endangered, and the fate of grazing, mining and energy soon could be at least partially tied to that of the bird.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)