UPDATE 1:45PM: As expected higher temperatures and gusty winds have begun to pick up in Carson City as of Wednesday afternoon. Firefighters continue to battle the Voltaire Canyon fire by ground and by helicopter air attacks, with forward progress being made. We will provide updates as they come in as to fire containment. The U.S. Forest Service reports the fire remains around 500 acres.
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Firefighters battling the Voltaire Canyon fire in south Carson City are dealing with calm winds and higher humidity as of Wednesday morning.
The fire is around 500 acres in size and is 15 percent contained, said Carson City Fire Chief Sean Slamon. Helicopters have been added to the firefighting operations.
Voluntary evacuation orders remain in place for the Carson Colony and Voltaire Canyon areas. The fire is burning on mostly U.S. Forest Service property. There haven’t been any reports of structures damaged.
“The evacuation is a precaution for now. Things are looking much better but we still have concerns about this afternoon’s forecast of heat and winds,” said Slamon.
The fire, believed to be caused by campers, started at around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday night and quickly spread due to gusty winds in the canyon.
By around midnight the winds had calmed allowing fire crews to attack the fire without a rapid rate of spread, said Slamon.
“The crews did an amazing job under very difficult conditions with night fall. They did a great job we are looking at the fire more optimistically today,” said the fire chief.
Daytime highs Wednesday are expected to be in the low 90s with gusty winds expected by afternoon.
