Voltaire Canyon Fire

UPDATE 8:45AM Thursday: From Erin Holland, U.S. Forest Service public information officer: “There is no change to the footprint of the fire overnight. Crews from the Sierra Front were able to hold the fire at 504 acres, which was reported last night. We should have an update of containment this afternoon. The fire remains 30 percent contained.” Containment is expected by 6 p.m. Friday night.
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Voluntary evacuations for the Carson Colony and Voltaire Canyon areas were lifted Wednesday afternoon as firefighters continue to make significant progress on the wildfire, according to Carson City Fire Chief Sean Slamon.

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.

These photos were taken of the Voltaire Canyon Fire Tuesday night. Scroll and click photos to enlarge. The first was taken on South Carson Street. The second panorama photo was taken from Prison Hill.

The Voltaire Fire burning in south Carson City is estimated at around 500 acres and is 15 percent contained as of around 8 a.m. Wednesday morning, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Firefighters were experiencing improved wind and weather conditions early Wednesday in the Voltaire Canyon area of south Carson City where a wildland fire, believed to have started by campers, erupted Tuesday night.

These photos of the fire in south Carson City at Voltaire Canyon were taken at 11 p.m. Tuesday.

The constellation of Scorpio rises from the flames of the Voltaire Canyon Fire in this long-exposure photograph taken on June 12, 2018. Click on photo to enlarge.

Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong said Tuesday night's fire at Voltaire Canyon was started by campers who were burning excrement and toilet paper.

This photo was taken Tuesday night from Clearview and Highway 395, Carson City.

Several Carson Now readers captured on photograph and video a tornado-type wind phenomenon produced amidst the fire currently burning off South Curry Street near Voltaire Canyon in South Carson City.

Attached is a compilation of witness photographs as well as a video of the wind phenomenon, which appeared with a combination of thick smoke and winds in the area.

Watch the video below or here to watch it on YouTube.

Reader submitted photo.

A funnel cloud formed inside the fire area Tuesday afternoon in Voltaire Canyon.

UPDATE 7:15PM: All evacuations have been lifted in the Voltaire Canyon Fire, said Carson City Fire Chief Sean Slamon. Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center estimates the fire to be around 150 acres.
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UPDATE 6:29PM: Carson City Fire Chief Sean Slamon said conditions are looking better this evening, with the fire around 70 to 75 percent contained. There is not acreage estimate yet but it is likely around 100 acres and probably less than 200 acres, he said.
“Around 100 firefighters are on scene battling the blaze as well as two airplanes and two helicopters. We have released some resources now so they can go to other fires in the region.”
Evacuations remain in place for now in Voltaire Canyon and Carson Colony areas. The cause of the fire is believed to be a lightning strike.
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UPDATE 6 PM: Carson City Fire Department Chief Sean Slamon addresses Tuesday's fire in a video here. The main concern now is the winds and terrain which is making containment difficult.

UPDATE 5:30PM: The evacuation at Galaxy Theater off of Curry Street has been lifted, according to the Carson City Sheriff's Office.
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UPDATE 5:03PM: From Carson City Fire Department: Crews are staging to protect the homes and businesses west of Curry Street. For those outside of the immediate fire area, but nearby, you might consider what documents, medications, and valuables you would prioritize in an evacuation. There is currently 0 percent containment, winds are still erratic. Those evacuated from the Carson Colony are advised to go to the Carson Colony Gym.
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UPDATE 4:53PM: From the Carson City Fire Department: No structures have been lost and efforts are concentrated on strucutre protection north of Koontz and west of Curry. Additional resources are continuting to arrive and the fire is estmated to be approximately 100 acres.