Reno fire far from contained; homes remain threatened
Publisher’s note: South Lake Tahoe firefighters have been sent to Reno.
By Reno Gazette-Journal
9:30pm: Containment for the Caughlin Fire was at zero percent Friday night, and 2,000 homes remained threatened. A cause had not been determined. About 2,300 customers remained without power as the result of the fire reported at 12:22am.
8:45pm: About 455 firefighters are on duty — including 150 overnight — looking for hot spots, contain fire and assess the damage. Thirty fire engines are to remain on patrol overnight. About,2000 homes remain threatened.
Firefighters struggle to contain the Reno blaze. Photo/Reno Gazette-Journal
8:15pm: Blaze stands at 2,000 acres with 0% containment at Caughlin Fire. No cause yet for the fire. The Caughlin Fire stands at about 2,000 acres with 21 structures damaged. No cause of the for the fire determined, fire officials said.
7:30pm: Areas where homes were lost or damaged include Gibraltar Drive, Pioneer Drive, Quiet Meadows Court, Meadow Valley Lane and Lakeridge Shores West, officials said. Residents in the area also reported homes on Alpine Creek Road had been burned.
6:40pm: Officials said they did not expect to begin allowing evacuated residents to return home until about noon Saturday. Affected homeowners were urged to contact authorities for updates on evacuation status.
6:10pm: Firefighters said they saved 4,000 or more homes from a late-season wildfire that burned about 2,000 acres and could have been far worse.
And the FD wants to do a “controlled” burn at Angora today. IDIOTS!!!!!!
It,s not the FD that wants to do a controled burn it,s the Forest Circus.
In the Forest SERVICEs defense, the control burn was started yesterday during ideal conditions with light wind and snow that was supposed to move in last night. But as weather does, things changed, and the winds picked up and the snow is delayed. The Reno situation is of course very unfortunate and it is scary to do a controlled burn during high winds in an area that we all have an emotional reaction to b/c of the Angora Fire. But, just think of the resurgence of morel mushrooms this spring in the newly burned area…yum!
D, I know they started the burn yesterday but “light winds” is NOT what was predicted. All the weather forecasts were for 100 mph winds by last night, which can whip that stuff into a frenzy. I understand they need to burn. I just question why both the burns in the last few weeks at Angora have been during extreme wind conditions, and both times thoroughly well predicted.
STINKS.
Hello, all. Thanks for sharing your concerns about our prescribed fire operations in Angora. I wanted to let you know that, like the earlier prescribed fire operations in the Angora fire area, yesterday’s project was very successful. We’re one step further in eliminating hazardous forest fuels that would increase the future risk of a high-intensity wildfire.
A wildfire is obviously an unplanned situation, putting us at a disadvantage as we respond. In contrast, prescribed fire operations are carefully planned and implemented. At least some wind is desirable for prescribed fire operations, because it carries smoke up and out.
Our staff check weather conditions repeatedly before beginning prescribed fire operations and make sure that they have the firefighters and other resources in place to manage the prescribed fire. The safety of our communities and our firefighters is always our top priority.
I agree with Dogwoman. High winds were predicted for yesterday. While it is understandable that the presence of some wind allows the smoke to blow away, rather than being trapped by an inversion layer, it seems unsafe to go forward with a controlled burn when heavy gusts are predicted. Residents in the burn area are understandably concerned and jittery about this project. The Reno fire hasn’t helped ease those fears.
HEY, WHAT THE “HECK” ARE YOU SURE YOUR SUCESSFUL FIRE DIDN’T PICK UP AMBERS DROP IN RENO?
SURE WAS BURNING THE EYES IN THE STATELINE AREA LAST NIGHT AFTER 11 PM!
HECK, ARE YOU DESTROYING THE OZONE? You know the layer that’s suppose to protect from the UV RAYS!