Fires

Most of California remains under the threat of unprecedented and dangerous fire conditions with a combination of extreme heat, significant wind events, dry conditions, and firefighting resources that are stretched to the limit.

Due to these conditions, the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region is announcing the following temporary closures and fire restrictions to provide for public safety and reduce the potential for human caused fire starts.

UPDATE 3:05PM: Areas of smoke and haze from wildfires will persist into Monday with improved conditions expected Monday night through Wednesday, forecasters say. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Red Flag Warning for gusty winds and low humidity, from 1 p.m. Monday to 11 a.m. Tuesday for much of the Carson City region.
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After a night washed out with a deep sepia haze resulting from the Creek Fire burning in the southern Sierra, the dense smoke that made its way into northern and western Nevada Saturday night that caused degraded air quality throughout the region now appears to be lifting, according to the National Weather Service.

Hello fellow anglers, welcome to Labor Day weekend. As we know from all of the smoke in the California and Nevada skies, we have to be fire aware, wherever your adventure takes you this weekend.

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) reminds residents and visitors that recreational fires, including campfires, bonfires, warming fires, wood fires, charcoal fires, or any other kind of outdoor fires, involving solid fuels are not permitted on public or private property including residential properties, vacation/short-term rentals, campgrounds, resorts and other recreational areas throughout the Lake Tahoe/Truckee Region until the end of November or until rescinded.

The Slink Fire burning south of Topaz Lake and two miles west of Coleville, Calif., reached 14,200 acres early Thursday and was 10 percent contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

A 32-year-old woman was arrested Wednesday for suspicion of third degree arson after allegedly setting fires in a field near the I-580 off ramp and William Street.

UPDATE: The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory, in effect from 11 a.m. Friday through 8 pm. Sunday for the greater Reno area, Carson City, Carson Valley in Douglas County, Mineral and Southern Lyon counties as well as the Western Nevada Basin and range including Pyramid Lake, Northern Washoe County.

Forecasters say we can expect consecutive days of high temperatures in most cities near or above 100 with overnight lows in the 60s. Record high Temperatures are likely, with potential for a new record for the latest 100 degrees at Reno.

Carson City Fire Department and sheriffs deputies responded Wednesday morning to two spot fires in the area of Russell Way and Long Street.

Drift smoke from California wildfires may begin to improve in some areas of western Nevada including the Reno and Carson City areas, according to forecasters with the National Weather Service.

Smoke from California fires continues to drift into areas of Northern Nevada, The latest high resolution smoke simulations would indicate some improvement Monday afternoon, with most areas seeing a general haze.

The Slink Fire, located in the Slinkard Valley two miles west of Coleville, Calif.,, burned actively throughout Sunday’s operational shift, growing to 4,762 acres with 5 percent containment. The fire continues to exhibit extreme fire behavior due to dry fuel conditions, winds and topography alignment.

Catmandu in Carson City is assisting the CEO and Founder of Project Bear Hugs, Hannah Hoobar, with her donation drive to assist the California wild fire victims.

A Red Flag Warning in effect Tuesday for the northern Sierra Front including Carson City, Douglas, Storey, Southern Washoe, Western Lyon and southern Lassen counties. Also, poor air quality has returned as winds have shifted, again bringing more drift smoke from California fires into the northern Nevada region.

With the threat of thunderstorms creating new fire starts, a Red Flag Warning has been issued Sunday evening into Monday morning by the National Weather Service for Carson City, the Lake Tahoe Basin and throughout the entire Northern Nevada region.

As of 7 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 21, the Loyalton Fire has burned 46,872 and is 60% contained. At least five homes and six outbuildings have been destroyed in the fire. No casualties or injuries have been reported.

Crews worked overnight to find and extinguish heat sources interior to containment lines near Balls Canyon Ranch and along the southern fire perimeter. Priorities today are to continue to strengthen lines, backhaul excess equipment, and identify remaining heat sources.

Thick, unhealthy smoke from northern California fires continues to saturate outside air Thursday in Carson City, Carson Valley, Lyon County and throughout western and Northern Nevada, prompting the National Weather Service to extend a Dense Smoke Advisory into Friday morning.

UPDATE: The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Dense Smoke Advisory for the greater Reno, Carson City and Carson Valley areas including Sparks, Verdi, Gardnerville and Virginia City. The advisory is in effect until 11 a.m. Thursday. Visibility is below 3 miles with unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups. The advisory says to expect periods of dense smoke and unhealthy air quality through Thursday morning. Winds may help improve air quality into Wednesday night before smoke returns to the area by early Thursday morning.

UPDATE 4:24PM: Both fires have been knocked down, according to Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center.
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UPDATE 2:42PM: The fire on Como Mountain is around 1/10th of an acre in size with a slow rate of spread, according to Central Lyon County Fire. Firefighting efforts have been turned over to the Nevada Division of Forestry and the Bureau of Land Management.
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Central Lyon Fire crews responded Sunday afternoon to brush fires in the Dayton area and one possible in Stagecoach. One fire near the "D" hill behind Dayton High School was reportedly knocked down just after 2 p.m. and firefighters are continuing to work on a fire located on Como Mountain.

Drier and much warmer air will work its way into Northern Nevada and the Carson City area Wednesday, bringing gusty winds and low humidity with it, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Red Flag Warning for much of the region.

In response to the current severe risk of wildfire, the Bureau of Land Management, Nevada Division of Forestry and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest elevated the current fire restrictions on August 7. The heightened restrictions prohibit all open flame campfires on state and federal lands, including within developed campgrounds, day use areas and dispersed camp areas.

Gusty winds, low humidity and the threat of thunderstorms have prompted the National Weather Service in Reno to issue a Fire Weather Watch for Carson City, Carson Valley and much of the Northern Sierra Front beginning Tuesday afternoon and extending into Wednesday evening.

At midnight Saturday the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest entered Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in response to the current severe risk of wildfire. Nevada is experiencing record dry conditions with much of the state in a severe drought.

UPDATE MONDAY: The Carson City Fire Department responded to assist Truckee Meadows Fire on the #NorthFire. As of Monday morning the fire has burned 3,000 acres and is 0 percent contained. Firefighters worked throughout the night battling this blaze and are back on the fire line this morning, according to CCFD.
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Fires burning in the northern California region, including a new fire north of Highway 395 near Hallelujah Junction in Lassen County, Calif., has produced smoky skies throughout much of western Nevada, including Carson City, Carson Valley and Dayton areas.

Another round of strong thunderstorms are expected to pass through the Lake Tahoe, Carson City and western Nevada region Wednesday, bringing with them a risk of lightning generated wild land fire starts, gusty winds, rain, hail and flash flooding, according to the National Weather Service.

UPDATE 5:30PM: A brush unit from Carson City Fire Department, called for a mutual assist in Douglas County, has been called back to quarters as East Fork Fire Protection District indicates it may have a handle on the lightning sparked wildfires earlier. Volunteer fire engines in the East Fork Fire Protection District were also released. East Fork and BLM brush units remain in fire start areas.
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East Fork Fire Protection District and Carson City Fire Department were called Tuesday afternoon to multiple wild land fires, likely caused by lightning strikes.

UPDATE: Fire investigators say a semi-tractor trailer truck with a faulty exhaust system is the likely cause of the #NumbersFire south of Gardnerville.

UPDATE 6:18AM Tuesday: KOLO reports the fire grew overnight to more than 5,000 acres with one home and 10 outbuildings burned and 350 homes threatened. Highway 395 remains closed.
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UPDATE 10:48PM: East Fork Fire reports rapid spread of #numbersfire, and critical fire conditions. Evacuations continue as the blaze makes its way north along the eastern edge of Gardnerville. For overnight updates, see the Douglas County Facebook page here.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office arrested 9 people on July 4, 2020 between Lake Tahoe and the Carson Valley. A total of 32 people, over the July 4 weekend, July 3-5, 2020, were arrested for various charges mostly related to offenses involving alcohol or drugs.

The July 4 holiday weekend at Lake Tahoe will look and feel different this year with basin firework shows canceled and social distancing safety practices required on beaches, campgrounds and along hiking trails. Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Forest Service says it is hopeful the holiday period will be a great opportunity for people to get outside to celebrate Independence Day and all the wonders of Lake Tahoe.

While there may not be fireworks this Fourth of July, there are still many activities in Carson City and beyond!