Fires

Taking advantage of statewide moisture in the forecast, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will conduct prescribed fire operations across several portions of the forest this week as part of the forest’s hazardous fuels reduction effort and active forest management program. Also, weather and conditions permitting, the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team will continue widespread prescribed fire operations this week in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

RENO — The American Red Cross of Northern Nevada is seeking volunteers to join its Disaster Action Team, serving Carson City and surrounding communities in the Carson Valley and other areas of Douglas County.

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team will resume prescribed fire operations this week in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Operations will continue over the next several weeks, conditions and weather permitting. Smoke may be visible.

It was an eventful year around the Carson City region notwithstanding the limitations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's some notable stories that were not pandemic related that happened in 2020.

Carson City Fire Department put into service Ladder 50 at 0900 this morning with the traditional push-in ceremony at Station 52. Ladder 50 is a tiller driven truck with an aerial ladder that extends to 107 feet. For over 10 years the department struggled with multistory structure fires without the use of a ladder truck, a very critical element of response, a need that until today would only be fulfilled with mutual aid assistance from neighboring counties.

Weather and conditions permitting, the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team will continue prescribed fire operations this week in the Lake Tahoe Basin. California State Parks, California Tahoe Conservancy, North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts are scheduled to burn hand piles and smoke may be visible.

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team may continue prescribed fire operations this week in the Lake Tahoe Basin. California State Parks, North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts are scheduled to burn if conditions and weather allow. Smoke may be visible.

Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team members will continue prescribed fire operations this week in the Lake Tahoe Basin, weather and conditions permitting. California State Parks and Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District are scheduled to burn hand piles on the east and west shores. Smoke may be visible.

CARSON CITY — Given the devastating 2020 wildfire season across the west, and following two late-season wildfires that recently swept across the Sierra Front, the Nevada Division of Forestry announced Wednesday that it will convene a free virtual summit to help Nevadans prepare and protect their homes, families, and communities from wildland fires.

The Nevada Tobacco Prevention Coalition, comprised of collaborating public health and private partner organizations, encourages Nevadans to participate in Thursday's 44th Annual Great American Smokeout.

UPDATE 6:43 p.m. Voluntary evacuations have been lifted. Motsville Road remains closed but should be opening soon, according to the Douglas County government Facebook page.

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is initiating a public comment period on the proposed Forest-Wide Prescribed Fire Restoration Project. The purpose of this project is to increase the pace and scale of prescribed burning on lands within 6.2 million acres of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada and a small portion of eastern California.

Debbie Barham, co-owner of Carson City-based DeBug Computer, Inc., has been named Northern Nevada coordinator for Ryan’s Case for Smiles, a non-profit with thousands of volunteers across the globe providing comfort to children with cancer.

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has begun closing recreational facilities for the winter season. Seasonal closures apply to many National Forest recreation sites in the Tahoe Basin including beaches, campgrounds, picnic areas and forest roads.

UPDATE 6:30PM: The fire appears to be under control. A Carson City Fire Department battalion chief has begun to let engines return to quarters.
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The Carson City Fire Department was called early Thursday evening for a fire with smoke and flames visible at the landfill off of Highway 50 East.

Hello seekers! Our medallion has been found, and a hearty congratulations to winners Penny, Kimberly and Melissa Russell! This team found the medallion at the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area just outside Yerington. Did you have a good time hunting? I was way off, but I always like the hunt itself! Here are the clue explanations:

The Bureau of Land Management, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and Nevada Division of Forestry will jointly reduce the current 2020 Nevada-wide fire restrictions, effective for all three agencies by Friday, Oct. 16, until further notice. The reduced fire restrictions will allow campfires in designated campground areas within Nevada.

The Nevada Department of Public Safety (DPS), State Fire Marshal Division, has selected the fourth annual State of Nevada Fire Prevention Week Poster Contest winners.

Increased fire activity in northern California and a return of modest west winds may bring a return of haze and smoke to the Carson City, Lake Tahoe and western Nevada region that could linger for the next couple days, according to the National Weather Service in Reno.

With 675 fires having burned 235,751 acres in Nevada so far this year, and wildfires continuing to threaten homes and lives across the West, next week University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s Living With Fire Program wraps up its five-part virtual workshop series, “Five Ways to Prepare Your Family and Property for Wildfire.”

Warmer weather and less smoke may be in store for the Carson City area this week, along with breezy conditions as a ridge of high pressure is forecast to bring sunny skies and light winds heading into the first weekend of October.

National Forest trails, trailheads, beaches and other day-use areas in the Lake Tahoe Basin have now reopened for day-use only as of Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020. Camping and overnight stays will not be permitted, and campgrounds will remain closed. Resorts will reopen for day-use only. Emergency Fire Restrictions will remain in effect through Nov. 30. I’ve attached the Forest Orders for your awareness.

Smoke from the California wildfires filter the sunrise Thursday in Carson City.

CARSON CITY — To assist with disaster relief during this devastating fire season, Greater Nevada Credit Union has donated $30,000 to three different credit unions coordinating relief efforts in California and Oregon. Rogue Credit Union Foundation in Medford, Ore.; Redwood Credit Union Community Fund in Santa Rosa, Calif.; and Sierra Central Credit Union in Yuba City, Calif. will each receive $10,000 to assist with ongoing relief efforts.

Due to unprecedented and historic fire conditions throughout the state, the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region on Tuesday extended the temporary Forest Closure Order of all 18 National Forests in California, which began last week.

Thick heavy smoke from the California fires is causing unhealthy air quality around the Carson City region, prompting the continuation of a dense smoke advisory through at least 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

With 642 fires having burned 229,409 acres in Nevada so far this year, and wildfires continuing to threaten homes and lives across the West, University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s Living With Fire Program continues its virtual workshop series, “Five Ways to Prepare Your Family and Property for Wildfire.”

Continued shift in winds will bring more smoke from California wildfires back into western Nevada and the Lake Tahoe basin Thursday and Friday, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Dense Smoke Advisory.

The U.S. Forest Service announced Wednesday that it is temporarily closing the remaining 10 national forests in California, including Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Eldorado National Forest, Plumas National Forest and Tahoe National Forest.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit released a list of beaches, campgrounds, resorts and public areas that are closed as of Monday because of dangerous fire conditions.