By Brett Fisher
The Little Valley Fire, which destroyed 40 structures — including 23 homes and 17 outbuildings — en route to scorching nearly 2,300 acres, is 100 percent contained at this time as remaining firefighters continue to grid the area for hots spots, secure and patrol the fire perimeter, and mop up around structures, the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center (SFIDC) has reported.
Crews on scene will also be cleaning out portions of the Franktown Road ditch today, the SFIDC said. Drivers and cyclists along Franktown Road should use caution and watch for crews working in the area.
The cause of the Little Valley Fire is still under investigation, the SFIDC said.
However, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (TMFPD) Chief Charlie Moore said early on during the fire that it may have been sparked by a prescribed burn conducted in the Little Valley area a week or so earlier.
Go here for complete early coverage of last week’s fire, and here for a related story on the Little Valley prescribed burn.
Beginning next week, a multi-agency Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) team — made up of hydrologists, soil scientists, engineers, biologists, vegetation specialists, and archeologists — will begin to rapidly evaluate the burned area and prescribe emergency stabilization treatments, the SFIDC said.
For further information, please contact Cheryl Surface from Washoe County Community Services Department via email at csurface@washoecounty.us.
