Davis Fire: 6,500 acres and multiple homes burned in fire that started in recreation area

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The Davis Fire is now estimated to be 6,500 acres, according to Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District.

The fire agency said more information on the fire that started around 2 p.m. Saturday would be released soon.

Officials have not released a suspected cause of the blaze that has burned as many as 12 structures, including multiple homes.

The Washoe County School District canceled Monday classes and activities due to the Davis Fire.

The announcement affects nearly all WCSD schools; Gerlach's K-12 school in Northern Washoe County will hold classes as scheduled.

Families were informed via voice, text and email messages shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday.

The district opted against canceling classes exclusively in South Reno neighborhoods. It did that earlier this school year when it closed Verdi Elementary School for a fire, calling a smoke day on what would have been the first day of school.

The Davis Fire has caused widespread evacuations in South Reno affecting thousands of families.

The district's message was as follows:

Good afternoon, Washoe County School District families—This is an important message for Monday, September 9.Due to the significant impacts on our community caused by the Davis Fire, all schools in the Washoe County School District will be canceled on Monday, September 9.Governor Lombardo has declared a state of emergency for Washoe County. Our community is experiencing mass evacuations, deteriorating air quality, increased traffic involving public safety vehicles and evacuations, power outages, and ongoing fire and firefighting activity.Working with public safety officials, this cancellation is necessary to ensure the safety of our students, families, and staff members, while also helping our region’s public safety personnel.Once again, all classes are canceled for Monday, September 9. There will be no before- or after school activities or athletic practices.

The fire started just after 2 p.m. Saturday in Davis Creek Regional Park. The fire has burned more than 3,000 acres and burned a dozen structures. At 4:30 p.m. Sunday more than 9,300 residences were without power in Washoe County, according to NV Energy.

Shelter details: The Washoe County Senior Center at 1155 E. Ninth Street in Reno has been designated as an evacuation shelter for those impacted by the fire and small pets. Larger animals can be sheltered at the University of Nevada Equine Facility on Valley Road.

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency Sunday afternoon due to the Davis Fire in Washoe Valley.

The declaration brings state resources into the fight against the wildfire, which is in its second day. State and local agencies also will begin work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to bring in federal resources.

The state of emergency is set to last until Friday afternoon unless conditions improve before then.

Evacuations are being reinstituted for ArrowCreek as wind is rekindling the Davis Fire, according to Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District's Adam Mayberry.

The Davis Fire, which has burned more than 3,300 acres and destroyed 12 structures, is picking up some power again amid the afternoon wind. Wind was expected to get stronger and cause the fire threat to increase, the fire agency said on Sunday morning.

"We anticipate flareups from a wind event expected later this morning that will last throughout the day,” Mayberry said.

The Davis Fire has burned about 3,300 acres, Adam Mayberry of the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District confirmed Sunday morning.

The spread of the fire has nearly doubled since last night, when it covered 1,800 acres.

There are 200 people currently fighting the fire, according to Mayberry.

Interstate 580 is now open between Damonte Ranch Parkway and Carson City in both directions with limited ramp closures, according to the Nevada State Police.

U.S. Route 395 Alternate is still closed along Washoe Valley, however. Mount Rose Highway is also still closed from I-580 at the Summit mall to the Mount Rose Summit.

Evacuations remain in place south of Mount Rose Highway for the Davis Fire amid concerns over fire conditions and weather, according to the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District.

“While there appears to be no fire activity, there are numerous hotspots,” TMFPD said on Sunday morning.

“We anticipate flareups from a wind event expected later this morning that will last throughout the day.”

The evacuation order was kept in place south of Mount Rose Highway even as neighborhoods north of the highway have been downgraded into evacuation warning areas.

“Fire crews are working aggressively to suppress this fire and we will lift evacuations as soon as it is safe,” TMFPD added. “There is currently no containment and power remains off in areas south of (Mount Rose Highway).”

Interstate 580 also remains closed in both directions from Damonte Ranch Parkway in south Reno to College Parkway in north Carson, according to the Reno Fire Department.

Mount Rose Highway — also known as State Route 431 — is also closed from Mile Marker 10 to Douglas Fir Drive, the Reno Fire Department added.

The neighborhoods north of Mount Rose Highway in Reno have been downgraded to “evacuation warning areas” on Sunday morning.

The areas, which lie west of Interstate 580 and east of North Timberline Drive, include the Summit mall, Galena Country Estates, Saddlehorn and Arrowcreek Country Club.

Residents of neighborhoods north of Mount Rose Highway can return to their homes but some areas might still have no power, according to Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District.

The neighborhoods south Mount Rose Highway are still classified as evacuation areas. Evacuations are also still in effect at St. James Village and Galena, TMFPD said.

Road closures also remain in effect at the exits for Damonte Ranch and Eastlake Boulevard on I-580 and on Mount Rose Highway from South Virginia Street to Atoma Road near Mount Rose Ski Resort, according to the Perimeter map. Motorists are advised to take alternate routes.

The Nevada Department of Transportation is also advising people to avoid unnecessary travel in the area.

The Davis Creek Fire that broke out around 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Washoe County is still listed as having burned 1,500 acres and destroyed 12 structures.

Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue posted on X late last night not to expect updated information on containment in the initial days or hours of the incident as it is still an active fire.

NV Energy reports that more than 6,800 residences are still without power after the planned shutdown. There was no estimated time of restoral posted. Most of those without power are in the following area codes:

The Nevada Department of Transportation posted that Mount Rose Highway is closed between Douglas Fir Drive and Sunridge Drive.

Davis Creek Regional Park has suffered several structural losses including a home on the property, according to Washoe County Parks & Open Space. The county has declared a state of emergency in order to draw on regional resources.

The residents were evacuated safely but the home and possessions are lost, according to a news release, and some pets are unaccounted for.

“Davis Creek Regional Park is home to a beloved campground and recreation area, and the loss is heartbreaking, but safety is our priority, and we are happy to report that all campers and park residents were evacuated safely,” Parks Superintendent Colleen Wallace-Barnum said in the release. “Evacuations are in place and we ask everyone who does not need to be out on the roads to avoid the area and give fire crews room to work.”

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for Sunday in the region, including the area of the Davis Fire.

The red flag warning is in effect for the Sierra Front 11 a.m. through 8 p.m. Sunday evening “as gusty southwesterly winds to 30-40 mph and dry conditions continue,” the National Weather Service stated in a tweet early Sunday.

The winds bring another round of elevated fire weather concerns to the area, the NWS added.

The Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District urged caution due to the red flag warning.

"Postpone and avoid all activities that may cause fires," the TMFPD said. "Outdoor cooking and recreational fires are prohibited."

The Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District also announced that the Davis Fire remains an active fire, with containment numbers not to be expected “in the initial hours or days of this incident.”

Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest share unified command over the fire, according to the agency.

Firefighting helicopters continued to operate as late as 11:30 p.m. Saturday to combat the Davis Fire south of Reno.

Old U.S. 395 to East Lake was open in order to help with southbound traffic, according to a 10:04 p.m. tweet by Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue.

Traffic continued to be stopped at Arrowcreek and Wedge parkways, but residents north of Mount Rose Highway were being allowed to return home.

Interstate 580 and Mount Rose Highway remain closed at the points indicated at the Perimeter website.

Deputies will be “patrolling evacuated areas, securing property and providing evacuation support,” according to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office also stressed that evacuation areas remain in effect so the public should check the Perimeter website and make sure to avoid the indicated areas. Road closures also remain in effect on Mount Rose Highway east of South Virginia Street and west of Atoma Road as of 10 p.m. Saturday.

For people with large animals, the University of Nevada Equine Facility on Valley Road is currently serving as an evacuation center.

The fire had consumed 1,800 acres as of 10 p.m. Saturday.

The Washoe County Senior Center will be open throughout the evening to serve as a shelter for those affected by the Davis Fire, the county said late Saturday.

In addition, the American Red Cross of Nevada will be “providing snacks, meals, and overnight accommodations for people and small pets,” according to Washoe County.

The Washoe County Senior Center is located at 1155 E. Ninth Street in Reno.

The Nevada Division of Forestry has asked the Nevada National Guard to assist firefighting efforts for the Davis Fire.

The initial request is for “handcrews and a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter,” according to the Nevada National Guard.

The National Guard added that aerial firefighting will resume on Sunday morning.

The Davis Fire has burned as many as 12 structures, according to Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District's Adam Mayberry.

The fire has burned more than 1,500 acres and has closed 1-580/US 395 from Damonte Ranch Parkway in south Reno to College Parkway in Carson City. He said there would be no updates on the total acres burned until Sunday morning.

Power was cut for more than 16,000 NV Energy customers from Washoe Valley into south Reno due to the fire. Some were reporting power had been restored earlier this evening.

Mayberry said that a Chinook helicopter was making a few drops in the area but he wasn't sure how much longer it would continue as the fire continues to burn in the dark. He said there are no airplanes fighting the fire overnight; air tankers had worked the fire earlier in the afternoon.

Mayberry said there are at least 200 people working the fire that started around 2:30 p.m. in Davis Creek Park.

The Davis Fire is now at more than 1,800 acres and has burned at least six structures, according to the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. The fire started in the Davis Creek Regional Park around 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

I-580/US395 is closed southbound from Damonte Ranch Parkway to College Parkway in Carson City and northbound from College Parkway to Mt. Rose Highway.

Traffic on multiple roads in south Reno is backed up as people are being evacuated in areas including Montreaux, St. James Village, Galena Forest, Arrowcreek, and Washoe City.

NV Energy has shut off power to 11,651 customers as the wildfire continues to threaten homes.

Dave Le Blanc said he and his wife had about 15 minutes from the time they smelled smoke to when they evacuated their home in Washoe Valley Saturday. Their home is across from the Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory on Old Ophir Road in Washoe Valley.

Their home, which they have lived in for 20 years, is in an area called Old Washoe City on maps. Le Blanc estimated there are more than 100 homes in the development.

He and his wife left with their two dogs and their cat.

He estimated he is about 2 or 3 miles from where the fire started at Davis Creek Regional Park around 2:30 Saturday. He said as they were leaving their home, sheriff’s deputies were on bullhorns telling residents to evacuate.

He said the smoke was so thick as they drove away it was hard to see, but he believes his home was lost.

“The fire just kind of swept through right where our house is. It was right there moving through that whole area,” he said.

He and his wife pulled over to the side of the road and watched. “It looked like my house burned first. I think others were burning.”

He said traffic was backed up for miles on backroads out of Washoe Valley as U.S. 395 and I-580 remain shut down.

At about 5:30 p.m. Le Blanc said traffic was moving about 5 feet every 10 minutes.

“I hope my home isn’t gone,” he said. “But what happens is what happens.”

Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District's Adam Mayberry confirmed structures have been lost in a fast moving fire that started Saturday afternoon at Davis Creek Regional Park in Washoe Valley. The fire has burned more than 500 acres and is spreading quickly in fast-moving winds.

Mayberry did not immediately have information on where structures have burned, and if those structures are homes.

"We do not have a handle on it," Mayberry said of multiple fire agencies battling flames.

"There has been no containment. We guessed about 500 acres an hour ago. It is larger than that by now," Mayberry said at 5:15 p.m.

The evacuation center has moved from the South Valleys Library, which is now in the evacuation zone, to the Reno Senior Center at 1155 Ninth St.

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is warning that the wildfire in Washoe Valley is moving fast due to high winds. The evacuation zone has expanded to include the Mount Rose Highway area including Rolling Hills, Galena Country Estates and Arrowcreek.

The wildfire that started around 2 p.m. near Davis Creek Regional Park has grown to over 400 acres. Nearly 4,700 homes are now without power due to the wildfire, according to NV Energy.

An evacuation warning has been extended to the Virginia City Highlands east of Washoe Valley. The ZIP codes of affected areas include 89704 in Washoe Valley and 89511 in South Reno and 89521 in the VIrginia City Highlands.

Washoe County has called for residents in parts of Washoe Valley to evacuate immediately to the South Valleys Library on Wedge Parkway in Reno.

The evacuation perimeter as of 3:30 p.m. is below. For updated information on the evacuation area, visit perimetermap.com.

The evacuation area includes Fawn Lane, Callahan Road and Joy Lake Road south of the Mt. Rose Highway.

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office tweeted that it was deploying RAVEN helicopters to help fight the fire.

An area resident said he witnessed two helicopters dipping into Washoe Lake for water to deploy on the fire.

Billowing plumes of smoke blowing to the north are visible in South Reno.

Update: The number of homes in Washoe Valley with power cut is now over 1,500.

NV Energy has cut power to 738 homes in the Washoe Valley area due to the fire. There is no estimated time of restoration.

I-580 is closed from Mt. Rose Highway to Bellevue in Washoe Valley due to wildfire, the Nevada Department of Transportation reports.

The fire is estimated at 3 acres.

Original story:

Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue is responding to a fire at Davis Creek Regional Park in Washoe Valley south of Reno.

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office said on X that it is assisting with evacuations in the area of Winters Creek, north of the park. They ask that the public avoid the area and remain alert for emergency vehicles responding to the scene.

The National Weather Service warns drivers to use caution on US-395 through Washoe Valley. Dense smoke driven by gusty westerly winds may lead to areas of decreased visibility in the vicinity of the brush fire.