Single Publication

Southwest Area Incident Management Team Update for Wednesday, September 13, 2024

Acres:  5,824 acres                                                                                    

Start Date: 09/07/2024

Location: Washoe Valley, Nevada                                                           

Personnel: 685

Containment:   56%                                                                                       

Fuels: Timber

Resources:   10 Crews | 14 Helicopters | 71 Engines | 5 Water Tenders | 4 Dozers 

Highlights: 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.

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 

To sign up for code red alerts and warning visit https://www.washoecounty.gov/em/RegionalAlerts.php