Single Publication

Southwest Area Incident Management Team Update for Wednesday, September 12, 2024

Acres: 5,824 acres                

Start Date: 09/07/2024 

Location: Washoe Valley, Nevada  

Personnel: 631 

Containment: 37%  

Fuels: Timber 

Resources:   9 Crews | 14 Helicopters | 71 Engines | 4 Water Tenders | 3 Dozers  

Highlights: 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-up refers 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