Wildfire Near Reno, Nevada, Threatens Homes, Forces Evacuations

Jan Wesner Childs

Published: November 17,2020

A fire that broke out on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020, burned through a neighborhood near Reno.

Dozens of homes were threatened and evacuations were ordered as a wildfire moved into a neighborhood amid high winds in southwestern Reno, Nevada, Tuesday afternoon.

The Reno Fire Department said dozens of homes were in the path of the blaze, according to KRNV-TV. The station reported that Fire Chief Dave Cochran said multiple homes have been destroyed and about 500 more were under threat. The fire had burned 2.3 square miles as of about 3:55 p.m. PST.

Video posted to social media by KRNV showed heavy equipment being deployed to fight the fire, and what appeared to be at least one building burning in a cluster of homes in the Caughlin Ranch area.

A wind gust of 77 mph was recorded in the area Tuesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. A high wind warning was in effect for the greater Reno metro area until 7 p.m. PST. Rain was forecast to move into the area later in the evening.

Reno Police said active evacuations were underway. A shelter was set up at the Washoe County Senior Center.

"The fire is moving in multiple directions and structures are being affected," the agency said on Twitter. "Please avoid the area so that evacuations can be completed and fire personnel access locations."

McCarran Boulevard, a main thoroughfare, was shut down in both directions. Power was cut off to about 7,100 residences and businesses.

The blaze started about 1 p.m. local time. The Reno Gazette reported it was one of four fires burning in the region.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.