This is a breaking news story and will be updated as new information becomes available.
View the latest updates on the fire, evacuation zones and resources:
- Davis Fire updates from responding agencies:
- InciWeb
- Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter)
- Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter)
- Washoe County Sheriff’s Office: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter)
- Evacuation zones: www.perimetermap.com
- KUNR’s resource guide with a list of Northern Nevada organizations offering assistance and support to those affected by the Davis Fire
National forest lands closed as containment efforts continue
Update on Sept. 12 at 10:13 a.m.
U.S. Forest Service officials issued an emergency area closure order for parts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Thursday morning.
The order covers areas impacted by the Davis Fire, including some parts of the 30,000 acre Mount Rose Wilderness and segments of the Tahoe Rim Trail.
This PDF can also be viewed and downloaded on Scribd.
Although crews were able to keep the fire in check overnight, the fire is still actively burning through heavy timber on the slopes of the Sierra Front.
Officials are urging residents to stay away, because conditions on the ground are dangerous, and potential rains over the weekend could cause mudslides.
All roads, trails, and developed recreation sites within this area are closed.
The closure boundary runs along the Hunter Creek Trail to the north, Nevada State Route 877 (Franktown Road) to the south, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest’s boundary to the east, and U.S. Interstate 580 to the west.
Developed recreation sites affected by the closure include:
- Galena Creek Regional Park and Visitor Center
- Mt. Rose Welcome Plaza
- Mt. Rose Campground
- Thomas Creek Trailhead
- Jones/White Creek Trailhead
- Whites Creek Trailhead
- Ophir Creek Trailhead
- Tahoe Meadows Trailhead
The emergency order is in effect from Wednesday, Sept. 11, to Wednesday, Sept. 25, or until rescinded.
— Bert Johnson, KUNR
Davis Fire: Relief expected as winds die down and humidity rises
Update on Sept. 11 at 7:37 p.m.
Despite strong winds and forecasts for erratic fire behavior, fire officials shared a more optimistic outlook about the Davis Fire Wednesday evening.
At a press conference at South Valleys Library, Gov. Joe Lombardo joined fire officials to address the latest news about the blaze that’s so far consumed 5,824 acres after starting near Davis Creek Park on Saturday afternoon. So far, 14 structures have burned and no deaths or injuries have been reported.
High winds challenged fire crews all day Wednesday, grounding aircraft that had been critical at fighting the blaze. Instead, hand crews continued their work throughout the day. Containment is now at 37% and firefighters expect that number to increase.
“On the Sierra front, up on top, we are experiencing gusts of 30 to 40 miles an hour. Some areas of the fire, we are experiencing 30 to 40 miles an hour fire, but also some of our perimeter around the fire is also partially sheltered, so that is also a good thing,” said Jason Clawson, Southwest operations section chief.
Fire behavior analyst Stewart Turner was optimistic about weather conditions through Wednesday night and into Thursday.
“We're seeing 70 miles an hour gust up on top of Slide Mountain. We've seen that throughout the day. Now, importantly, this evening, we still anticipate those winds dying off through the night and then the humidity coming up, moistening those fuels and taking them away from the fire so they can no longer burn,” Turner said.
That means the fire's behavior could change favorably over the next few days if Turner's forecast holds true.
“So everything's going to start laying down tonight and there will be very different fire behavior over the next 24 hours, but we still have some fire weather to get through,” Turner said.
Temperatures will drop this weekend, which will help contain the fire, he said. The National Weather Service is also forecasting a chance for showers starting Sunday night.
“I would characterize that fire behavior tomorrow to be low to moderate, not expecting any perimeter growth. And then as we get into the Friday, Saturday forecast, we're going to see the cooler temperatures,” he said.
Lombardo thanked the emergency units for their hard work and offered his condolences to those affected.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to those individuals who lost property, been evacuated, may be evacuated and are suffering as a result of this crisis. It's unfortunate that we've been put into this position,” Lombardo said.
The Davis Fire is still active and has the potential to grow overnight. For that reason, all existing evacuation orders and warnings from this morning will stand until further notice.
The Washoe County School District canceled classes at 10 schools on Thursday, Sept. 12, as they continue to work with public safety officials who are monitoring the movement of the Davis Fire. The remainder of WCSD schools will hold classes as usual.
The following ten schools will be canceled on Thursday, September 12. They are: Galena High School, Marce Herz Middle School, Picollo School, Huffaker, Hunsberger, Lenz, and Pleasant Valley elementary schools.
In addition, Incline High School, Incline Middle School, and Incline Elementary School will be closed on Thursday, September 12.
All other schools will be in session.
— Maria Palma, KUNR
Officials forecast up to 2,600 homes could be threatened by the fire over the coming days
Update on Sept. 11 at 5:15 p.m.
As of around 10 a.m. this morning, the Davis Fire is at 31% containment on the west side of the blaze.
High winds are hitting the Sierra, forecasted to increase throughout the evening. Wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour are expected.
The National Weather Service has issued a Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag warning for the Sierra Front until 8 p.m. this evening. It is only the sixth time in history this warning has been issued in Reno.
Fire managers are anticipating extreme fire behavior and are warning the public to heed evacuation warnings and orders that are in effect in order to keep themselves and firefighters safe.
According to county spokesperson Bethany Drysdale, there are potentially 2,600 homes threatened by the fire. This includes homes at risk of catching a spot fire, but not directly in line of the fire’s path.
This is in addition to the over 872 structures — including 615 homes — that are in direct line of the fire’s predicted path.
Today, 472 buildings could potentially be directly impacted by the fire. Tomorrow, nearly another 300 are in the fire’ s path. And on Friday, about 100 could be directly impacted.
Local fire agencies are getting help from various fire departments from across the state. A 34-person strike team from four different fire departments in Southern Nevada will join local crews today.
More information about the Davis Fire can be found at inciweb.gov. Evacuation zones can be viewed at perimetermap.com.
Fire personnel are also stationed at various locations to answer questions. These include:
- Walmart at 144 Damonte Ranch Parkway
- Safeway at 1031 Steamboat Parkway
- WinCo Foods at 9750 S. Virginia St.
- Dollar General at 105 Jackdaw Lane
- The pullout off the highway where Eastlake Blvd meets US-395 Alt near Little Washoe Park
— Kat Fulwider, KUNR
Space still available at UNR Equine Facility for large animals
Update on Sept. 11 at 3:39 p.m.
There is still space available to bring large animals to the UNR Equine Facility at 1290 Valley Rd. in Reno. Washoe County Regional Animal Services asks that you call dispatch first at 775-322-3647. The facility expects to potentially reach capacity tonight as fire conditions are forecast to worsen.
At 2 p.m., the facility was housing 21 horses, four ponies, three donkeys, and a goat. Tammy Jennings, the assistant director of Washoe County Regional Animal Services, said if you need to evacuate with your large animals, bring anything special they need, like feed. Otherwise, the facility is equipped to help.
Jennings said the priority is for people in mandatory evacuation zones. If you have an evacuation warning, please start making preparations.
“If there’s a situation where you are in dire need, and nobody can get to your horses, write your phone number somehow, with a sharpie, with a grease pen, if they have to be turned loose. If the fire’s over, a lot of times, they kind of start wandering back. But people will start finding horses in their fields, those kind of things. So they can contact you if they find them,” she said.
Animal Services has other farm animals, like pigs and chickens, at their shelter on Longley.
— Lucia Starbuck, KUNR
Two U-Haul locations offering free storage for evacuees
Update on Sept. 11 at 2:44 p.m.
U-Haul facilities in Reno and Sparks are offering a month of free storage for evacuees of the Davis Fire.
The deal applies to self-storage and U-Box containers, which are the moving company’s portable moving and storage containers.
“Access to dry and secure self-storage and portable storage containers can be vital for residents escaping wildfires and other natural disasters,” a press release announcing the program said.
Participating locations include:
- U-Haul Moving and Storage of Double Diamond, 10400 S. Virginia St., (775) 851-4030
- U-Haul Moving and Storage of Spanish Springs, 11425 Digital Court, (775) 425-3876
Visit KUNR’s resource guide for more information on resources available to those affected by the Davis Fire.
— Bert Johnson, KUNR
Red Cross evacuation shelter moving to Neil Road Recreation Center
Update on Sept. 11 at 11:54 a.m.
The evacuation shelter for people affected by the Davis Fire is moving from Washoe County’s Senior Center to the Neil Road Recreation Center in Reno at 3925 Neil Rd.
The American Red Cross was in the process of transitioning the site at 11 a.m. and asked residents not to arrive at the rec center until it’s officially open sometime Wednesday afternoon. You can check for updates at www.perimetermap.com.
Tiandra Rushing, the executive director of the Red Cross of Northern Nevada, said come as you are, and you do not need to utilize all of the resources offered.
“It truly is a center for you and resources as well. Come in, find information, get a hot meal, get snacks, food, water, whatever that looks like. Stay in the AC, charge your devices. We’re really here to support you in any needs,” said Rushing.
Washoe County Animal Services will be outside with trailers to help house pets.
While the number of people who utilized the senior center was low, Rushing expects a surge as fire conditions are forecast to worsen on Wednesday.
— Lucia Starbuck, KUNR
Overnight progress threatened by extreme weather
Update on Sept. 11 at 11:48 a.m.
Starting at around 5 p.m., gusts as high as 70 miles per hour are expected to ground firefighting aircraft and could send hot embers a mile away.
Jeremy Human is with Southwest Area Incident Management Team 1, which is directing the response.
He says crews made progress on the fire’s eastern flank yesterday, but they’re challenged by steep terrain to the west.
Davis Fire Operational Update September 11, 2024 pic.twitter.com/y9C2aNJCq3
— Humboldt Toiyabe NF (@HumboldtToiyabe) September 11, 2024
“The two areas [not contained] currently are this portion of fireline, just below the Slide Mountain road, and the head of Brown’s Creek,” he said.
Evacuation warnings are now in effect right up to South McCarran Boulevard. Officials are urging residents to be ready to leave on short notice.
Evacuation zones can be viewed at www.perimetermap.com.
— Bert Johnson, KUNR
Nevada Humane Society has pet food, leashes, and bowls available for displaced families
Update on Sept. 11 at 11:10 a.m.
If you were displaced by the Davis Fire with your dogs and cats and need supplies, contact the Nevada Humane Society. CEO Jerleen Bryant said the organization is ready to help.
“If you need pet food, if you need leashes and collars, or dog bowls or even a crate, if you need anything as it is related to your dog or cat, please reach out to us,” said Bryant.
And if you have the means, the Humane Society is accepting dog and cat food — if the bags are open, they just need to be in the original packaging — towels, and treats.
The Humane Society’s facility in Reno is currently housing 47 dogs from the Canine Rehabilitation Center and Cat Sanctuary in Washoe Valley, which had to evacuate on Saturday. If you were considering adopting or fostering, now would be the time.
Humane Society staff are also assisting at Fuji Park in Carson City, which is currently accepting livestock animals like horses.
— Lucia Starbuck, KUNR
Editor’s note: This update was revised on Sept. 11 at 4:10 p.m. to correct a misspelling of Bryant’s name.
Davis Fire updates will move significantly Wednesday; officials urge residents to be prepared
Update on Sept. 11 at 11:10 a.m.
The Davis Fire is expected to move significantly Wednesday, according to Washoe County officials.
“An event called a ‘PDS’ (Particularly Dangerous Situation) is going to occur [Wednesday], which is a step above a Red Flag Warning. We fully expect that the Davis Fire is going to move and move significantly. Potentially up to seven miles,” said fire chief Charlie Moore of the Truckee Meadows Fire District Tuesday evening.
Officials are urging residents to pay attention to new evacuation guidelines.
“We’re gonna push out information about evacuation zones [Wednesday] morning, and we need you to take those messages very seriously and prepare your action plan for you and your families this evening,” Moore said.
You can view current evacuation zones at www.perimetermap.com.
Residents should also have a go bag with at least three days worth of medications, food and important papers, and prepare to evacuate with their pets.
