Fires

In 2003, I wrote an article on making a home firesafe. I started with this “The raging fires in California are a terrible reminder of the wildfire risk of living in the urban-wildland interface.” Now, 16 years later, that initial sentence bears repeating. With climate change, global warming we are seeing hotter, more intense, faster spreading wildfires than ever before. Fuels such as brush, grasses and trees are tinder dry everywhere, including Northern Nevada.

PLACERVILLE, Calif. - Incident Commander Kevin Breitwieser has declared that the Caples Fire is now 100% contained and in patrol status at 3,435 acres. There has been almost no change in fire size since October 18. The extreme wind event on October 26 that prompted a public safety power shutoff was a good test of the containment lines and resulted in three small spots which were extinguished. Traces of smoke from interior burning will continue to be visible, but no additional fire growth is expected.

As daylight saving time ends this Sunday morning, the American Red Cross of Northern Nevada reminds residents to check and replace smoke alarm batteries to protect against home fires.

Fire departments from Carson City, Douglas County and Lyon County have sent engines to fight massive wildfires burning in Northern and Southern California.

LAKE TAHOE — As the temperature drops outside and we think about using our fireplaces and heating stoves, it’s important to remember a few safety tips and precautions. Heating equipment and improper ash disposal are leading causes of home and wildland fires during the fall and winter months.

North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District and California State Parks may continue prescribed fire operations over the next several weeks in the Tahoe Basin, if weather and conditions permit.

While haze from nearby Sierra fires may linger some, we're looking at another pleasant fall day around the capital city heading into Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. Events locally include a ribbon cutting and outdoor moving showing at the new Schulz Ranch Park, workshops, a women's safety meeting, a pumpkin patch for kids at Carson Mall, plus art showings and public talks. After hours it will be toasts, cheers and business networking all around at the Dayton Taphouse. Enjoy the day.

DAYTON, Nev. — Central Lyon Fire Protection District took possession of two new fire engines last week, ending almost a decade without an infusion of new Fire Suppression Apparatus in the District.

Weather and conditions permitting, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District and California State Parks may continue prescribed fire operations over the next several weeks in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The Lake Tahoe Basin Fall Prescribed Fire Program may begin as early as Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, under the management of the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team, which includes local, state and federal fire and land management agencies.

The 31st annual Dayton Valley Days kicks off this weekend with a street festival, food booths, plenty of games for kids, a host of family entertainment options including gold panning, ghost tours, a vehicle show and shine, chili cook-off, Sunday pet parade and more.

Carson City Fire Department and sheriff's deputies were called Sunday evening to a small brush fire in the area of Roop Street and Northridge Drive.

With a strong cold front pushing into the region that will bring gusty winds and low humidity over the next two days, the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for northern and western Nevada and Lake Tahoe region. Weather conditions will be especially dangerous along the 395 corridor from Susanville to Mammoth Lakes.

A series of thunderstorms moved into the Carson City and Carson Valley area Wednesday afternoon and evening bringing lightning and a few brush fires to the region. As of Wednesday 8:20 p.m. the storms had moved out of the Carson City, Carson Valley area. More thunderstorms are expected Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Carson City Fire Department was called Wednesday evening to the area of Heaven Hill Way and Imus Road in north Carson City for a report of a brush fire. The fire was eventually extinguished by rain.

UPDATE 5:52PM: According to Douglas County's Facebook page: "Things appear to be settling down out on Jacks Valley due to a little help from the rain. Residents are still being asked to remain aware!" Also noteworthy is the brush unit that Carson City sent to fight the fire, has since returned to Carson City.

According to CCFD Chief Sean Slamon, there were no fires burning in Kings Canyon. The Fire Department received calls, checked it out, and the smoke was drift smoke from the Jacks Valley Fire. CCFD did knock down a fire at residence on Muldoon Street in town. The small fire was caused by a lightning strike on the roof of the residence.

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UPDATE 5:39PM: According to Douglas County Dispatch Jack’s Valley road has been reopened, and the Record Courier in Douglas County reported via twitter that forward progress has stopped with an assist from the rain.

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UPDATE: 5:26PM: Per Douglas County Facebook page: Parents CAN pick up their children at Jacks Valley School at this time should they be in the after school program or after school sporting activities. #JacksValleyFire

RENO — As fire hazard has built through the summer, ALERTWildfire, a network of mountaintop cameras that helps fire managers spot and monitor fires over large swaths of land, has been on a frenzied pace to reach its goal of adding 300 cameras to the network in the western U.S. by the end of the year. In the past three years the network has been involved with nearly 1,000 fires.

Heading to Lake Tahoe for Labor Day weekend to celebrate the unofficial end of summer? Please keep the following in mind for a safe and fun-filled holiday weekend.

Dianne Feinstein, the 86-year-old United States senator, didn’t tell the youngsters to get off Valhalla’s Grand Lawn. But she threatened to have them removed.

The Nevada Department of Corrections is asking the public's assistance in locating a minimum security inmate who walked away Sunday from the Stewart Conservation Camp on Snyder Avenue in south Carson City.

Virginia City’s popularity as a “must-see” destination has never waned, and with the local tourist agency's focus on bringing more events to the Comstock, visitor numbers are certainly expected to grow.

One thing the historic mining town wasn’t prepared for, however, was a strain on one very-important utility.

Target shooting has become a fairly common cause of wildfires. They've even happened at recommended public shooting ranges. Last year, shooters at the Carson City Rifle and Pistol Range touched off a 200 acre fire and already this year there have been two small fires there.

RENO — The installation of the newest and final of 11 planned cameras for the AlertTahoe fire camera network is completed and the camera went live on Wednesday, July 31, realizing the goal of placing high-tech cameras on mountaintops ringing the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding forests and communities to help firefighters spot and track wildfires.

Effective Saturday, the Carson City Fire Department is implementing fire restrictions on city and privately owned lands within Carson City.

Vegetation in western Nevada has dried out significantly. A large crop of grass and brush is evident at lower elevations and trees and other forest vegetation at higher elevations are quickly drying out. The public is encouraged to safely enjoy the public lands, bearing in mind that human-caused fires annually threaten human life, private property and public land resources every summer.

TOCCATA-Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus opens its concert series at the elegant Genoa Lakes Golf Club Ballroom at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 31st with a special program.

An early Wednesday morning fire at a Brown Street apartment complex that destroyed four vehicles has been determined to be arson, said Carson City Fire Chief Sean Slamon.

With fire danger a threat throughout Nevada, local, state and federal agencies are reminding citizens that igniting, discharging or using fireworks is prohibited on Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service lands and within the city limits.

Hello fellow anglers. Sorry, but I have been off fishing for a couple weeks. Which I will share in the reports this week.

We are now in summer, and there are a few things we have to remember.

Heading into Thursday, June 27, 2019, there's plenty to do and see around the Carson City area as we march toward an action-packed weekend. There's a morning Muscle Powered walk, Food Truck Thursday at Mills Park, a Farmers Market in Dayton, a discussion on climate change at Western Nevada College, a history presentation on Chinese woodcutters at the Nevada State Museum, a presentation by the NNDA Executive Director at a GOP monthly meeting, Cruise Night at Wing Stop, an information meeting on the Ross Gold Park master plan hosted by Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space. Read on. There's more.

The Fourth of July holiday period is upon us and signifies the busiest time of year in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit asks residents and visitors to share in the stewardship of their public lands, and to keep the following tips in mind to help everyone enjoy a safe and fun holiday.