Davis

Davis, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. Fifteen miles south of Reno, NV. Grass, brush and timber. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering. Numerous structures threatened.

September 19, 2024 at 10:47 AM

Firefighters continue focusing on completing tasks in the suppression repair plan and patrolling containment lines today. The fire remains at 5,824 acres and 92%. As of today, 24 miles of hose that has been used on this fire has been rerolled and prepared for use on future wildfires. 

Management of the Davis Fire will transition from Southwest Incident Management Team 1 back to the local agencies and their Type 4 Incident Management Team at 7 a.m. on Thursday, September 18. Communication between the incoming and outgoing teams will continue throughout the day today, to ensure a smooth transition process with the focus of continuous support for the fire crews.

September 17, 2024 at 9:12 AM

Firefighters made incredible progress on the fire yesterday, increasing containment to 92%. Today, fire personnel are splitting efforts between patrolling fire activity and repairing affected area. There are no active suppression efforts or mop up occurring at this time. Due to the increase in containment, some fire resources are being reassigned to other wildfire incidents, so we will begin to see a drop in number of personnel. Please continue to travel with caution near affected areas for the safety of the public and the firefighters still working in the area.

Weather: There is a 10% chance of rain today as a new storm system approaches, with expectations of a 70% chance of rain tomorrow. The average max temperature will be 64 degrees, with high relative humidity that persists throughout the day. Expect winds of 9mph with gusts up to 18mph. Rain yesterday assisted by diminishing fire behavior, limiting any smoldering occurring on the fire.

BAER: A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team has been established by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest to begin a post-fire burned area assessment of National Forest System lands that burned in the Davis Fire. BAER teams coordinate with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Weather Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Land Management, and other federal, state, counties, and local agencies as they assess potential post-fire impacts to the effected watersheds. To learn more about BAER, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/naturalresources/watershed/burnedareas.shtml

Fire Investigation: Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office are leading the investigation into the cause of the Davis Fire. If you have credible information, or if you were in the vicinity of the day-use area at Davis Creek Regional Park on September 8^th at the start of the fire, contact 775-326-6079 or email: info@tmfpd.us.

September 16, 2024 at 9:31 AM

Firefighters made great progress over the last few days, allowing Mt. Rose Highway to reopen to the public, yesterday. With the opening of this road, please continue to travel with caution in the area for the safety of the public and the firefighters. Backhaul operations are being executed on the north and east sides of the fire, as crews remove equipment off the fireline. Sprinklers are being removed from the southern section of the fire, as the line becomes more secure. With firefighter safety in mind, operations will be done at a deliberate pace. With containment increasing to a considerable amount, firefighting resources are being reassigned to other wildfire incidents with greater need, so we are beginning to see a drop in numbers. 

Weather: Widespread showers with isolated embedded thunderstorms are possible today, with a quarter to half inch of rain. The average max temperature will be 55 degrees, with a cold morning in the high thirties. Winds will be westward at 8-12 mph, with gusts up to 22 mph. This will result in diminished fire behavior with possible flash floods. 

September 15, 2024 at 10:23 AM

Crews are utilizing sprinkler systems on the southeastern section of the Davis Fire by Washoe Lake, addressing areas of heat burning deeper in peat moss. As the fire perimeter continues to be secured, crews are backhauling equipment from other areas. This involves pulling hose, water pumps, and other firefighting equipment and preparing it for another fire. Crews are also continuing suppression repair on the fire, important for supporting healthy forest regrowth. During suppression repair, crews will place burned vegetative debris like logs and limbs within the fire perimeter. This will help reduce the possibility of erosion, create micro-climate for small animals, and improve the productivity of the soils.

Weather: Incoming lower temperatures are anticipated, with an average temperature of 76 degrees. Winds will increase at 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph, posing a risk to firefighter safety around trees. There is a possibility of smoldering fire behavior today, with the possible ignition of light fuels. There is a chance of rain Sunday evening, followed by an even greater chance on Monday, along with a significant temperature drop and moderate gusts.

September 14, 2024 at 9:56 AM

Crews on the Davis Fire had another successful day working on increasing containment along the Davis Creek Rd area and Joy Lake area. The hard work of firefighters has allowed the fire containment to steadily increase over the last few days. With an increase of winds today, interior burning may occur in pockets of unburned fuel and the public could see isolated areas of smoke over the next few days. Crews will continue to patrol the fire and address hot spots by extinguishing hot spots with water, stirring burning vegetation with hand tools.

Weather: Expect to experience a drying trend and increased winds in upcoming days. Relative humidity will drop into the teens with winds at approximately 12 mph and gusts up to 22 mph. This will result in the potential for an increase in fire behavior. Temperatures will be much cooler on Sunday, with relative humidity substantially increasing.

Evacuations: We urge everyone to remain vigilant and stay clear of evacuation zones. Crews are working tirelessly to remove hazard trees that may have become unstable during the fire. Stay informed by relying on official information sources.For updates on evacuation statuses please visit: https://perimetermap.com Waste Management will provide one dumpster at the Truckee Meadows Fire Station at 4000 Joy Lake Rd. and one dumpster at US-395 and Eastlake Blvd. for residents who need to discard spoiled food items and other waste.

Donations: While we deeply appreciate the generosity of our community, fire crews do not need additional donations on the Davis Fire. Rest assured, our firefighters and personnel have contracts in place to meet all of their basic needs. As a meaningful gesture, we would be grateful to receive thank you cards or written messages of support that can be displayed during our briefings. These messages would allow firefighters to see and feel the community’s appreciation firsthand. Food and supply donations can be directed to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. For more information visit: www.fbnn.org

Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District and the Washoe County Sheriff”s Office are leading the investigation into the cause of the Davis Fire. If you have credible information, or if you were in the vicinity of the day-use area at Davis Creek Regional Park on September 8^th at the start of the fire, contact 775-326-6079 or email: info@tmfpd.us.

September 13, 2024 at 10:14 AM

Crews continued reinforcing existing fire lines, completing approximately 2,000 feet of handlines near Slide Mtn. Five to ten acres of unburned fuel pockets (islands) were intentionally burned near Winter Creek Rd. to eliminate flammable materials like leaves, pine needles, and small limbs. Isolated areas of large logs and stumps, or ‘heavies,’ are still smoldering and producing light smoke. Additional containment was secured along the fire perimeter. Aviation resources will remain available today. Water tenders and portable tanks have been strategically placed to strengthen firefighting efforts.

Smoldering and creeping fire activity is expected, with isolated pockets of smoke still visible. Firefighters will continue mop-up efforts, working over 100 feet inside the fire lines. The fire lines are dozer lines, handlines and existing road systems. Mop-up operations will focus on all areas where heat is detected, with particular attention along the fire perimeter near Davis Creek Rd, progressing northwest past Hidden Lake and up to Mt. Rose Highway. Mop-up includes extinguishing hot spots with water, stirring burning vegetation with hand tools, and trimming lower limbs to prevent the fire from reaching the tree canopies. Crews will patrol fire lines to ensure embers remain contained and will remove any hazardous, burned trees at risk of falling across fire lines or roads.

Weather: Forecast warmer and drier conditions for today.  The relative humidity is expected to drop down into the teens. Winds will be primarily out of the east, but also affected by the steep slopes (terrain driven). Expect breezy conditions over the weekend. Temps will be in the mid-80s on Saturday and dropping down to the mid-70s on Sunday.

September 12, 2024 at 10:53 AM

Through the strong work and dedicated efforts of ground crews daily and nightly, the fire experienced minimal growth yesterday. This progress was achieved despite challenging weather conditions, the remote and rugged terrain in the western area, and the complexities of the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) environment. Yesterday, aircraft operations were suspended after 9:00 AM as winds reached 75 MPH on the ridgetops, with gusts of up to 54 MPH in the valleys. Through diligent work of firefighters extinguishing hot spots near the perimeter and continuously patrolling unburned areas looking for any new spots the fire stayed within its footprint. The southern perimeter of the fire, from Highway 580 in Washoe Valley to the upper edge near Mount Rose, is largely secured with fire hose and handline. Dozer lines and hose lays have been strategically placed to protect all communities located south-southwest of Highway 431 near Galena Forest and Callahan. Water tenders and portable water tanks set up in place to make water usage readily available.

Fire Activity: Low to moderate fire behavior is expected today. Firefighters will continue mop-up operations, though isolated pockets of smoke will still be visible. Mop-uprefers to the process of extinguishing or eliminating any remaining hot spots, embers, or smoldering debris after the main fire. Mop-up activities include dousing burning material with water, breaking apart hot debris, turning over ashes, cutting down or clearing any trees or vegetation that may still be smoldering, and making sure the perimeter is secure. Crews will also be removing any hazard trees that have burned and are at risk of falling across any fire lines or roads.

Weather: Cooler temperatures and a substantial decrease in winds are forecast for the next few days. Temperature will be around 70 degrees. Relative humidity levels are expected to reach around 60% today, a significant increase from the 12% recorded yesterday. This dramatic shift will positively support containment efforts.

Evacuations: We urge everyone to remain vigilant and stay clear of evacuation zones. Stay informed by relying on official fire information sources.For updates on evacuation statuses please visit: https://perimetermap.com

September 11, 2024 at 10:30 AM

Despite challenging conditions over the past few days, firefighters have achieved 31 percent containment on the west side of the fire. The National Weather Service has issued a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning for the Sierra Front, in effect Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. This is only the sixth PDS warning ever issued by NWS Reno, the last being on September 15-16, 2019—marking this as an exceptionally rare event.

Last night, a successful burnout operation was conducted near Highway 431 to help secure fire lines. Firefighters continue to provide structure protection in all affected communities. Additional firefighting resources from across the country are arriving to bolster efforts.

Aircraft were fully operational throughout yesterday’s shift, playing a vital role in supporting ground crews. However, today’s aerial operations will be limited due to wind and smoke conditions. As of yesterday, rotor-wing aircraft delivered 208,000 gallons of water, with Super Scoopers contributing 196,000 gallons. Additionally, fixed-wing aircraft dropped 98,000 gallons of fire retardant. Dozer lines have been constructed near the Sky Tavern area, as well as to the north and south of Highway 431.

Fire Activity: Yesterday, active fire behavior was observed along the southwestern portion of the fire, near Mount Rose Highway.There was minimal activity on the north and northeast sides of the fire. Crews will continue to strengthen linesin and around the northwest side. The majority of the heat has been in the western side of the fire. With predicted high winds, dry fuel conditions, and slope alignment, fire managers anticipate extreme fire behavior, including potential movement to the north and long-range spotting. Forecasted high winds present a major operational challenge, particularly in the northern areas.

Weather: Extreme fire conditions are predicted due to the Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS). The temperatures will range from 66-71 degrees with southwest winds sustained at 25-40 MPH and gust up to 60-70 MPH. The peak of the wind event will be later in the afternoon. Once the inversion lifts and temperatures rise fire activity will increase.  

Evacuations: We urge everyone to remain vigilant and stay clear of evacuation zones. If you choose to shelter in place during today’s PDS, you may be putting yourself and firefighters at greater risk, while also slowing the progress of firefighting efforts. Stay informed by relying on official fire information sources.For updates on evacuation statuses please visit: https://perimetermap.com.

September 10, 2024 at 10:21 AM

Community Meeting Scheduled for Tuesday, September 10^th – 7 p.m. at Depoali Middle School

RED FLAG Warning in effect beginning at 11:00 a.m. today

Highlights: Southwest Area Incident Management Team 1 assumed command of the Davis Fire at 6 p.m. on Monday, September 9^th. Active fire behavior was seen along the southwestern portion of the fire yesterday in the vicinity of Mount Rose Highway. Aircraft were limited due to wind and smoke conditions, but crews were able to take advantage of natural features and roadways to directly attack the fire. Strike teams and engines from local jurisdictions were able to continue structure protection in and around all impacted communities and additional resources begin to arrive from around the country to support. Four super scooper aircraft have been assigned to the incident, increasing the speed at which water can be delivered to support firefighting efforts across the fire area.

Fire Activity: Overnight, crews and engines worked to construct direct line in areas around the south and western flanks of the fire but were challenged by very active fire behavior. A spot fire established in the lower portion of Browns Creek, east of Hidden Lake and crews were able to gain access and begin building line. Engines were also closely monitoring fire activity in and around communities, extinguishing any heat that could pose further risk to homes and property. Today, along the north and eastern edges of the fire, crews and engines will continue to monitor and mop up heat sources near the line, working to gain containment in the areas along Interstate 580. On the southern perimeter of the fire, Interagency Hotshot Crews will continue to go direct, building line directly on the fires edge, preventing any continued growth to the south. The southwestern corner of the fire is expected to continue to see extreme fire behavior today with spotting potential up to ½ mile. A mix of aircraft, supported by crews on the ground, will work to check the fire up along Mount Rose Highway, while also scouting secondary containment options.

Weather: A Red Flag Warning has been issued for the area beginning at 11:00 a.m. on September 10^th. Expect wind gusts up to 35 mph and relative humidities dropping to single digits at lower elevations. The temperatures will range from 92 at the lower elevations to 74 at the high elevation. A thermal belt will establish overnight, keeping humidities lower than normal.

Evacuations: For updated on evacuation statuses please visit: https://perimetermap.com

September 9, 2024 at 9:39 PM

Fourteen structures are currently known to be impacted, and damage assessments will continue in the impacted area of the Davis fire when it is safe to do so. Fire crews continue full suppression efforts, prioritizing the protection of life, property, and critical infrastructure.

Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest are in unified command in management of the fire. The Southwest Area Incident Management Team 1, a Complex Incident Management Team, assumed management of the fire at 6 p.m. this evening.

September 8, 2024 at 7:58 PM

The Davis Fire is estimated to be approximately 6,500 acres and zero percent contained. The fire started in the area of Davis Creek Regional Park, located in Washoe Valley south of Reno, Nevada, around 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 7, 2024. It is reported to be burning in heavy timber and brush, with medium to long range spotting. Gusty winds are forecasted throughout the week.

Fourteen structures are currently known to be impacted, but damage assessment will continue when it is safe to do so. Fire activity increased with afternoon winds, but fire crews were able to hold the eastern, northern, and southern boundaries. The southern end of the western front experienced the most rapid growth moving to the north and northeast along the Mt. Rose Highway. Fire crews continue full suppression efforts, prioritizing the protection of life, property, and critical infrastructures.

Interstate 580 between Reno and Carson City, Nevada, as well as Old U.S. Highway 395 to Eastlake Boulevard have reopened. Old U.S. Highway 395 is still closed from East Lake Boulevard to Bowers Mansion Interchange. Mt. Rose Highway remains closed. For updates on road closures, visit: https://www.nvroads.com/.

Please use caution when traveling in the area as emergency vehicles and fire apparatus are entering and exiting roadways and power outages have impacted some traffic signals. Some roadways along Mt. Rose Highway and the north side of Washoe Valley remain closed. Please avoid the area for the safety of the fire crews.

Power outages in the south Reno area continue to leave some homes, businesses, and traffic signals without electricity. Customers who are currently without power should be prepared for prolonged outages throughout the incident and those customers living near the fire who still have power should be prepared for potential additional de-energizations due to the dynamic nature of the fire. To learn more about outage preparation visit: www.nvenergy.com/outages-and-emergencies/outage-preparation-tips.

A portion of south Reno remains under evacuation notice, affecting around 12,000 to 14,000 people. Evacuations are in place for Arrow Creek, Sky Tavern, Mt. Rose Ski Resort, and Logan Meadows. For more details on evacuation locations, visit: www.perimetermap.com.

There is an evacuation center set up at the Senior Center located at 1155 E 9th Street in Reno, and Washoe County Regional Animal Services has mobile shelters on site for small animals. Large animals can be taken to the University of Reno Equestrian Center in Reno or Fuji Park in Carson City for those who cannot get to Reno. Several area hotels are offering special rates for evacuees.

Please call ahead to confirm availability and rates:

• The Row, Reno: $59, resort fees waived
• Nugget Casino Resort, Sparks, $100, use code EVAC24
• Best Western on Nugget Avenue, Sparks, $119, pets allowed

Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest are in unified command in management of the fire. The management of the fire will be turned over to the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 1 sometime on Monday, Sept. 9.

September 8, 2024 at 3:30 PM

A wildfire broke out in Davis Creek Regional Park, located in Washoe Valley south of Reno, Nevada, around 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 7, 2024. Fire is estimated to be approximately 3,300 acres, multiple structures have been impacted. A portion of south Reno remains under evacuation notice. Power outages in the area have left some homes, business and traffic signals without electricity.

At 12:30 p.m., fire activity has increased, and evacuation has been reinstated north of Nevada State Route 431 (Mt. Rose Highway) to include Arrow Creek, Sky Tavern, Mt. Rose Ski Resort, and Logan Meadows. For more detail evacuation locations visit: www.perimetermap.com.

Interstate 580 between Reno and Carson City, Nevada, as well as Old U.S. Highway 395 to Eastlake Boulevard have reopened. Old U.S. Highway 395 is still closed from East Lake Boulevard to Bowers Mansion Interchange. South and north bound exits to Mt Rose Highway are closed, so is the highway from Wedge Parkway to the summit. For updates on road closures, visit: https://www.nvroads.com/.

Please use caution when traveling in the area as emergency vehicles and fire apparatus are entering and exiting roadways and power outages have impacted some traffic signals. Some roadways along Mt. Rose highway and the north side of Washoe Valley remain closed. Please avoid the area for the safety of the fire crews.

NV Energy is working to restore power to as many customers as possible, but as of 12:30 p.m. there 6,700 customers without power. Customers who are currently without power should be prepared for prolonged outages throughout the incident and those customers living near the fire who still have power should be prepared for potential additional de-energizations due to the dynamic nature of the fire. To learn more about outage preparation visit: www.nvenergy.com/outages-and-emergencies/outage-preparation-tips.

There is an evacuation center set up at the Senior Center located at 1155 E 9th Street in Reno, and Washoe County Regional Animal Services has mobile shelters on site for small animals. Large animals can be taken to the University of Reno Equestrian Center in Reno or Fuji Park in Carson City for those who cannot get to Reno. Several area hotels are offering special rates for evacuees.

Please call ahead to confirm availability and rates:

• The Row, Reno: $59, resort fees waived
• Nugget Casino Resort, Sparks, $100, use code EVAC24
• Best Western on Nugget Avenue, Sparks, $119, pets allowed

Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest are in unified command in management of the fire. “Unified command” refers to a collaborative approach in incident management where multiple agencies coordinate and work together to respond to fires. Cooperating agencies include Reno Fire Department, Sparks Fire Department, Carson City Fire Department, Cal Fire, East Fork Fire Protection District, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Bureau of Land Management, County Sheriff’s Office, NV Energy and Nevada Division of Transportation.