Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 388 are ringing in the New Year by knocking on doors throughout Carson City. They are making personal visits to those who helped bring the Traveling Wall Memorial to Mills Park for “Battle Born Days” and the Nevada Day celebrations.

UPDATE 3:26PM: The fire burning in East Washoe Valley is 50 percent contained as of 3:22 this afternoon. Two out-buildings were destroyed, and no homes burned. Mutual aid firefighters called to fight the Lyon Fire, are now being relieved and remaining crews are doing mop-up, said Truckee Meadows Fire Chief Charlie Moore.
The fire burned about 5 acres. As of 3:20 winds had considerably lessened and the fire is putting out a fraction of the smoke it had earlier in the day when it started at around 12:30, Moore said. Eastlake Boulevard is opened at Highway 395 south. Residents who were evacuated from the area can return to their homes and should have photo identification with them.
"The chances of the fire growing larger are quite minimal. There is little risk to structures and property and the rest now is left to mopping up," Moore said.

Although you might not feel it, the weather is starting to change in North Lake Tahoe. Days are still warm, with temperatures averaging in the 60s, but nights are dropping to approximately 35 degrees. It’s the time of year that the region’s upper elevations may even see a dusting of snow.

“We’ve been reviewing all the long-range forecasts,” said Chief Marketing Officer Andy Chapman of the North Lake Tahoe Chamber/CVB/Resort Association. “And if Mother Nature keeps up her end, we should have above-average snowfall this winter.”

UPDATE 8:45AM: Highway 395 has reopened with controls (pilot vehicle) so expect delays and watch for fire vehicles, according to Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center.
The fire, which has burned more than 2,000 acres, is burning mostly upslope east of Highway 395 into predominately BLM public lands in the southern Pine Nut Mountains. There is a decreasing threat to approximately 30 homes west of the highway. If the fire were to jump the highway, however, this is looking less likely as fire personnel consolidate fire lines. No structures have been lost at this time. Power lines down at the fire scene, but they are deenergized, which is impacting some local rural residences. The fire is 5 percent contained. Full containment expected by Sept. 24. An aerial reconnaisance this morning will evaluate fire acreage and behavior. Nine airtankers are currently assigned to the incident, which includes four large airtankers and five single-engine airtankers (SEATs).
Structure protection is being handled by units of the East Fork Fire Protection District (Douglas County).
Incident Command Post is at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
One minor firefighter non-burn injury reported.

Douglas County officials scaled back the number of homes burned in the TRE Fire on Tuesday night to two homes from seven, however, 17 outbuildings were destroyed and the fire burning in south Douglas County at Topaz Ranch Estates has grown to 4,400 acres.
Sgt. Jim Halsey of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office reported the clarification in a news release. The fire continues to move in a northeasterly direction, away from homes in the Topaz Ranch Estates residential area.

UPDATE 510PM: Fire burns more than 3,000 acres with zero containment; 4,000 evacuated; no count on home and structure losses.

At 4:40 pm this afternoon, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, under his constitutional and statutory authority, made a state declaration of emergency which qualifies local governments for federal assistance associated with this event. The National Guard is on standby at the request of Sandoval and Washoe County. California has also provided fire assistance as part of a Governor to Governor agreement with Jerry Brown. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been and are being affected by this fire,” Sandoval said. “Declaring a state of emergency ensures that every resource from the local, state and federal level is available to assist. The Nevada Division of Forestry and the Department of Public Safety have also engaged with local responders.” Additionally, Nevada has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). As a result, Nevada is eligible for up to 75 percent funding assistance for eligible costs. The request was made by the Nevada Division of Forestry on behalf of Washoe County at the onset of the fire.

More below the fold.

AP A plaque bearing the name of an Elko man who died as a result of a Hantavirus infection earlier this year was added Saturday to the Nevada Firefighters' Memorial in Carson City. A ceremony at Mills Park honored Nevada Division of Forestry Capt. ...

Today, firefighters throughout the region continue to battle the Buckeye Fire, five miles west of Bridgeport. The Buckeye Fire started yesterday, September 25, 2011 around 11 a.m.

No structures have been lost and no injuries have been reported. Firefighters have been faced with steep terrain and changing wind conditions making it a difficult fire to contain. As of this morning the size of the fire is estimated to be approximately 1,200 acres. At the time of this release there is no estimate on when containment will occur. The investigation of the cause of the fire is still ongoing.

CARSON CITY – If a $490,000 grant to plant trees in Clark County public places as part of a federal job-creating stimulus project should be measured by the “greening” of Southern Nevada, then the effort might be considered a modest success.
Thirteen different government and nonprofit entities applied for 1,814 trees for planting at 35 different public areas in Southern Nevada through the grant. A total of 1,541 trees have been provided to the agencies and groups for planting, mostly at schools and parks around the Vegas valley.

By the Nevada Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
This is a reminder that Nevada State Forester and Fire Warden, Pete Anderson, issued a warning on July 8 about fire danger throughout Nevada.
Western Nevada has experienced numerous wildfire ignitions over the past few weeks posing an increasing danger to the public as vegetation continues to dry out.

By the Nevada Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
CARSON CITY — Nevada State Forester and Fire Warden, Pete Anderson, issued a warning on July 8 about fire danger throughout Nevada. Western Nevada has experienced numerous wildfire ignitions over the past few weeks posing an increasing danger to the public as vegetation continues to dry.

By the Nevada Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
The Nevada Division of Forestry is aiding firefighting efforts in Arizona by contributing personnel to help the state fight multiple devastating wildfires.

“Since the fires started, we have sent 10 personnel to help fight the fires in eastern Arizona,” said Nevada’s State Forester and Firewarden, Pete Anderson. NDF has agreements with western states to help in such situations. Nevada recoups costs for its services.

CARSON CITY, Nev. – The Nevada Division of Forestry will be conducting prescribed burns today at Tunnel Creek in the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park backcountry. The Tunnel Creek road, from State Route 28 to Tunnel Creek Station, may be closed in order to ...

By the Nevada Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
The State of Nevada announced today that it has reached agreements between the Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF) and Eureka County, Elko County and Clark County (Mt. Charleston) to continue to provide “all-risk” emergency services to these counties.

These services were scheduled to be transferred back to the respective counties June 30, 2012, per Gov. Brian Sandoval’s recommended budget now being considered by the Nevada State Legislature.

By the Nevada Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
This is a reminder that the Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF) will be conducting prescribed burns at Tunnel Creek in the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park backcountry throughout late April and into May.

The Tunnel Creek road, from State Route 28 to Tunnel Creek Station, may be closed in order to conduct the burns.
Signs will be posted throughout the area when burns are being conducted.

Nearly 100 acres will be treated in 15 separate phases.

By the Nevada Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
This is a reminder that the Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF) will be conducting prescribed burns at Tunnel Creek in the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park backcountry throughout late April and into May.

The Tunnel Creek road, from State Route 28 to Tunnel Creek Station, may be closed in order to conduct the burns.

Signs will be posted throughout the area when burns are being conducted. Nearly 100 acres will be treated in 15 separate phases.

The Carson City Board of Supervisors this week will consider whether to hire a special deputy district attorney to represent the public works department after a construction firm contracted to do $1.9 million in work has claimed overriding costs of $1.7 million.

CARSON CITY – Federal government efforts to create jobs through stimulus funding have expanded to encompass an urban Clark County tree planting effort and related activities, including tree care training for Spanish-speaking workers.
The Nevada Division of Forestry has received funding from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to make 2,500 trees available for free for planting by nonprofit organizations, government entities and others on urban public lands in Southern Nevada.

CARSON CITY – Federal government efforts to create jobs through stimulus funding have expanded to encompass an urban Clark County tree planting effort and related activities, including tree care training for Spanish-speaking workers.
The Nevada Division of Forestry has received funding from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to make 2,500 trees available for free for planting by nonprofit organizations, government entities and others on urban public lands in Southern Nevada.

CARSON CITY – Federal government efforts to create jobs through stimulus funding have expanded to encompass an urban Clark County tree planting effort and related activities, including tree care training for Spanish-speaking workers.
The Nevada Division of Forestry has received funding from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to make 2,500 trees available for free for planting by nonprofit organizations, government entities and others on urban public lands in Southern Nevada.

CARSON CITY – Federal government efforts to create jobs through stimulus funding have expanded to encompass an urban Clark County tree planting effort and related activities, including tree care training for Spanish-speaking workers.
The Nevada Division of Forestry has received funding from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to make 2,500 trees available for free for planting by nonprofit organizations, government entities and others on urban public lands in Southern Nevada.

CARSON CITY – Federal government efforts to create jobs through stimulus funding have expanded to encompass an urban Clark County tree planting effort and related activities, including tree care training for Spanish-speaking workers.
The Nevada Division of Forestry has received funding from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to make 2,500 trees available for free for planting by nonprofit organizations, government entities and others on urban public lands in Southern Nevada.

CARSON CITY – Federal government efforts to create jobs through stimulus funding have expanded to encompass an urban Clark County tree planting effort and related activities, including tree care training for Spanish-speaking workers.
The Nevada Division of Forestry has received funding from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to make 2,500 trees available for free for planting by nonprofit organizations, government entities and others on urban public lands in Southern Nevada.

CARSON CITY – Federal government efforts to create jobs through stimulus funding have expanded to encompass an urban Clark County tree planting effort and related activities, including tree care training for Spanish-speaking workers.
The Nevada Division of Forestry has received funding from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to make 2,500 trees available for free for planting by nonprofit organizations, government entities and others on urban public lands in Southern Nevada.