Editor's Note: As of Saturday, Nov. 21, KUNR is no longer actively updating this blog. For the most current information about the Pinehaven Fire, visit @RenoFireDept and @RenoPolice on Twitter or the City of Reno's website.
6:57 p.m. PT | November 21, 2020
Reno Wildfire Fully Contained; Cause Investigation Continues
By The Associated Press
The Reno Fire Department says the Pinehaven fire that destroyed or damaged 29 homes has been contained around 100% of its perimeter as an investigation into the cause continues. Department officials said the fire reached full containment late Friday but fire crews would continue to patrol the area to look for smoke or hot spots as the area dries out from recent rains. The department is still asking the public for information that might help determine the cause. The fire started Tuesday afternoon on a hillside. Crews stopped its forward progress that evening. The fire destroyed five homes and damaged 24, three heavily.
10:23 a.m. PT | Nov. 19, 2020
The City of Reno reports the Pinehaven Fire is at 90 percent containment Thursday.
All roads that were previously closed due to the fire have been reopened, and evacuation orders have been lifted.
Police and fire officials are asking non-residents to stay away from the area. The Reno Police Department will continue to patrol the neighborhood.
The fire destroyed 5 homes and heavily damaged 3 others. 21 homes had minor damage.
Fire crews will remain on the scene for the next few days to mop up and patrol the fire area.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
2:02 p.m. PT | Nov. 18, 2020
According to the City of Reno: “The American Red Cross of Nevada has opened a recovery center at Caughlin Ranch Elementary School for people affected by the Pinehaven Fire. Residents in fire-affected areas needing assistance can call: 1-800-REDCROSS.”
1:32 p.m. PT | Nov. 18, 2020
Reno Fire officials predict 100% containment of the Pinehaven Fire by Friday.
Chief David Cochran with the Reno Police Department announced the perimeter of the Pinehaven Fire is currently 1,200 acres with 5% containment.
Nearly 1,300 homes were evacuated last night. A total of five homes were destroyed and nearly 15 structures were damaged.
The Reno Police Department has lifted road closures in the following areas: Skyline Dr., Pioneer Dr., Susileen Dr., Marthiam Ave., EB Cashill Blvd., SB McCarran Blvd., WB McCarran Blvd/Manzanita.
Closures remain in the Pinehaven, Mountainshyre, Buckhaven, Big Bend, Hemlock area.
Fire officials are currently investigating the site, but as of right now, they do not know the cause of the fire.Two firefighters suffered minor injuries consisting of a strain after slipping and falling and an asthma attack.
Reno Fire Chief Cochran said most fires are human-caused but high winds and low humidity do not help. Fire officials said the wind’s pattern was unpredictable. One second they were fighting a fire towards them and the second the fire would move up the hill.
The Reno Police Department will continue to patrol the area through the evening.
11:45 a.m. PT | Nov. 18, 2020
The Reno Police Department is reporting that the time for projected road openings related to the Pinehaven Fire has been pushed back to 2 p.m. today. The City of Reno Public Works Department will be inspecting the roads first to ensure safety prior to opening them.
8:57 a.m. PT | Nov. 18, 2020
Power has been restored for those affected by the Pinehaven Fire. That's according to NV Energy. However, evacuations remain in place for residents near the Caughlin Ranch area in southwest Reno.
Mark Winkelman with the Reno Fire Department says roads remain closed in the area, but hopes to begin reopening those around 10 this morning.
He says they are still assessing damage, but so far, more than a dozen structures have been impacted. Five have been destroyed and about another 15 have been damaged by the fire.
The fire is 5% contained and the cause is under investigation.
Reno Direct after hours call service has been activated until 10 p.m. Residents can call 775-334-INFO for assistance with the Pinehaven Fire. Chat online also available.
Governor Steve Sisolak has declared a state of emergency due to the fire, following declarations from the city of Reno and Washoe County.
An evacuation center is located at the Washoe County Senior Center, 1155 East Ninth Street in Reno. Residents with COVID-19 who need to evacuate can email covidhousingteam@washoecounty.us for access to housing.
Pets are being accepted at the Washoe County Animal Services, as well as some hotels.
Because of the fire, the Washoe County School District has canceled all classes at Caughlin Ranch Elementary School, Swope Middle School, and Reno High School today.
Some rain this morning is helping firefighters as they continue to battle the blaze. But we could see winds pick up speed this afternoon.
Updated road closures:
- Southbound McCarran at Cashill
- Eastbound Cashill at McCarran
- Southbound Marthiam at Susileen
- Southbound Skyline at Pioneer
- Westbound McCarran at Manzanita
- Southbound Belsera Ct at McCarran
- Westbound Ridge view at Plumas
- Ridgeview at Evans Creek
- Pinehaven at Village Green
- Lockerum at Village Green
- Dunkeld at Village Green
The following areas are under evacuation orders:
- Sierra Pine Dr.
- Mountainshyre Dr.
- Chaparral Dr.
- Ridgeview Ct. from Bella Sierra Ct. & Vista View
- Areas southeast of Manzanita and around Lake Stanley
- Skyline Blvd.
- Cashill Blvd.
8:08 p.m. PT | Nov. 17, 2020
Gov. Steve Sisolak declared a state of emergency in response to the Pinehaven Fire. This ensures that resources from the local, state and federal level are available to assist as needed while the state of emergency is declared.
Tonight, I declared a state of emergency in response to the Caughlin Ranch/Pinehaven Fire.
— Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) November 18, 2020
Declaring a state of emergency ensures resources from the local, state and federal level are available to assist as needed during this emergency. pic.twitter.com/78k4V9b9JS
The Reno Police Department is also reminding residents the mandatory evacuations are still in place. Residents will be turned away at this time.
7:10 p.m. PT | Nov. 17, 2020
Forward progress of the Pinehaven Fire has been stopped. The blaze has destroyed a dozen buildings, according to the Reno Fire Department. No injuries have been reported. The fire has burned 1,700 acres, and the cause has not yet been determined.
Firefighting crews will continue to monitor spot fires through the night.
The Reno Police Department tweeted out several roads that will remain closed overnight due to the Pinehaven Fire.
Here is a list of road closures that will remain in effect throughout the evening. Please continue to avoid the area pic.twitter.com/JENDdzVUoR
— Reno Police (@RenoPolice) November 18, 2020
A spokesperson for the Washoe County School District says all classes are canceled Wednesday at Reno High School, Swope Middle School and Caughlin Elementary School due to the Pinehaven Fire.
6:59 p.m. PT | Nov. 17, 2020
The City of Reno says any residents who have questions about the Pinehaven Fire can call 775-334-4636. The line should be available until about 10 p.m. PT tonight.
Residents can also use the chat feature at https://www.reno.gov.
For more information, please visit http://www.reno.gov/PinehavenFire.
McCarran Boulevard near Manzanita Lane in Reno is closed in both directions, according to NDOT.
6:12 p.m. PT | Nov. 17, 2020
The Chief of the Reno Fire Department tweeted that the evacuation perimeter for the Pinehaven Fire is from Cashill and Caughlin Parkway on the west, to Lakeside Drive on the east, and Ridgeview Drive on the south. Residents are asked to not try to get back into those areas at this time.
The City of Reno posted a map of the evacuation perimeter:
#PinehavenFire update: This is the area RECOMMENDED for evacuation: pic.twitter.com/Mz2hrQTZsu
— City of Reno (@CityofReno) November 18, 2020
5:14 p.m. PT | Nov. 17, 2020
Several casinos are offering evacuation rates to residents affected by current fires, according to KTVN.
The Peppermill Resort in Reno is offering rooms for $30 to $50 with no resort fees through Thursday, Nov. 19, the Sands Regency is offering rooms for $30 and the GSR is offering rooms for $45 Tuesday night.
4:49 p.m. PT | Nov. 17, 2020
The Reno Police Department tweetedthat there will be a heavy police presence in the neighborhoods affected by the Pinehaven Fire to monitor the security of homes while people are evacuated.
A look at the area the fire is impacting:
!Update! Here is a current map of the fire boundary and affected areas. @RenoFireDept @RenoPolice @NHPNorthernComm @WashoeSheriff and additional resources are in the area. Please continue to avoid the area pic.twitter.com/pkuaTRflN8
— Reno Police (@RenoPolice) November 18, 2020
4:34 p.m. PT | Nov. 17, 2020
Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve has signed an Emergency Declaration for the Pinehaven Fire burning near Pinehaven Road in the Caughlin Ranch area of Reno.
She is asking residents to stay out of the area. For more information, follow the hashtag #PinehavenFire, along with the @CityofReno, @RenoFireDept and @RenoPolice on Twitter.
BREAKING: I’ve signed an Emergency Declaration for the Pinehaven Fire in Reno. Please we ask that you stay out of the area and do not spectate so fire crews can access. Follow #PinehavenFire, @CityofReno, @RenoFireDept, @RenoPolice for latest updates.
— Mayor Hillary Schieve (@MayorSchieve) November 18, 2020
4:13 p.m. PT | Nov. 17, 2020
A spokesperson for the City of Reno is reporting on Twitter that the Pinehaven Fire burning near Pinehaven Road in the Caughlin Ranch area of Reno has burned approximately 1,500 acres. Multiple homes have been lost and more than 500 structures are currently threatened.
Chief Cochran:
— jonhumbert (@jonhumbert) November 17, 2020
-Pinehaven Fire is approx 1500 acres
-“All of Northern Nevada” helping. Crews from CA coming
-winds erratic and 500+ structures threatened
3:30 p.m. PT | Nov. 17, 2020
The Red Cross is opening an evacuation center at the Washoe County Senior Center located on East 9th Street in Reno for those impacted by the fire located near Pinehaven Road in the Caughlin Ranch area of Reno.
🔥EVACUATION CENTER OPEN: The Red Cross is opening an evacuation center at the Washoe County Senior Center, located at 1155 E 9th St. in Reno for people affected by the #pineviewfire near Caughlin Ranch. pic.twitter.com/7CZY16eFJJ
— The American Red Cross of Nevada (@RedCrossNevada) November 17, 2020
For those not yet under evacuation, here’s what the Red Cross recommends to pack in your to-go bag:
For those in the area of the #pinehavenfire not yet under mandatory evacuation orders, now's the time to prepare your go-bag!
— The American Red Cross of Nevada (@RedCrossNevada) November 17, 2020
Include PPE, prescription medications, clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies and a digital copy of important documents + items for children/pets. pic.twitter.com/QaR7c6uF8a
3:13 p.m. PT | Nov. 17, 2020
NV Energy has cut power to areas near the Caughlin Ranch fire. You can find the latest updates on power outages here.
Caughlin Ranch Elementary is also currently on a precautionary code yellow lockdown because of the fire. School police are responding to the elementary school, but the school is not currently threatened by the wildfire that started around 1 p.m.
Parents do not need to go pick up their children.
3:09 p.m. PT | Nov. 17, 2020
KRNV is reporting dozens of structures are currently threatened by the fire burning near Pinehaven Road. Multiple are under evacuations, including Sierra Pine Dr., Mountainshyre Dr., Chaparral Dr., Ridgeview Ct. from Bella Sierra Ct. and Vista View, areas southeast of Manzanita and around Lake Stanley, Skyline Blvd. and Cashill Blvd.
2:56 p.m. PT | Nov. 17, 2020
Several additional evacuation notices are in effect for the fire burning near Pinehaven Road, according to the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District.
⚠️PINEHAVEN INCIDENT - new area of evacuation notifications have been sent for Ridgeview (BellaSierra Ct & Vista View) EAST of this location, southeast of Manzanita and around Lake Stanley. Both sides of Ridgeview @RenoFireDept @CityofReno
— Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue (@TMFPD) November 17, 2020
2:22 p.m. PT | Nov. 17, 2020
For the fire burning near Pinehaven Road and Sierra Pine Drive above Caughlin Ranch, KRNV is reporting that at least one home is on fire in Caughlin Ranch.
BREAKING: Our crew on scene reports at least one home is on fire in Caughlin Ranch.
— KRNV (@KRNV) November 17, 2020
Latest: https://t.co/RdzRZqM0xc pic.twitter.com/aXnZsUZHiP
2:13 p.m. PT | Nov. 17, 2020
There are several fires burning in northern Nevada and California.
The Reno Fire Department tweeted that a brush fire started near Pinehaven Road and Sierra Pine Drive, above Caughlin Ranch, and structures are currently threatened.
Multiple media outlets are reporting that there are evacuations for the area near Pinehaven Road and Mountainshyre Road.
Both directions of McCarran Boulevard are shut down near Caughlin Parkway, according to NDOT.
There is a high wind warning into the early evening, according to the National Weather Service.
Additionally, the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office has issued a mandatory evacuation notice for Vinton and Chilcoot due to afire.
The Mono County Sheriff’s office has also issued an evacuation order in the Walker community from Eastside Lane to Topaz Lane, due to the Mountain View Fire. Officials say Highway 395 is closed from Eastside Lane to Larsen.
Wildland firefighters are also responding to a different fire, called Laura2, northwest of Reno, according to the Bureau of Land Management. There are no known evacuations for this fire at this time.
Lastly, about 400 acres are burning in and near the town of Doyle, Calif. Strong gusts of wind also pushed the fire across Highway US 395 and is now burning in a northeastern direction toward the BLM Fort Safe Area and Nevada border, according to the Bureau of Land Management.
For updates on the fires in Plumas, Lassen or Mono counties, please visit ourlive blog.
