Wind-Driven Fire Near Reno Burns Buildings, Prompts Evacuations

 Jan Wesner Childs

Published: November 18, 2020

A dozen buildings were damaged or destroyed by a wind-fueled wildfire that burned through a neighborhood in southwest Reno, Nevada, Tuesday.

The blaze, dubbed the Pinehaven Fire, burned about 2.3 square miles in the Caughlin Ranch area. Evacuation orders remained in place overnight, according to the city of Reno website.

Reno Fire Chief David Cochran said Tuesday night that a dozen structures or outbuildings were lost or damaged, but further assessments would be done after daybreak Wednesday. Cochran said forward progress on the fire had been stopped.

Photos posted to social media showed homes engulfed in flames.

The cause of the fire was unknown, but weather.com meteorologist Chris Dolce said it broke out in high winds that ushered in a cold front. A gust of 77 mph was recorded in the area Tuesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. A high wind warning was also in effect for the greater Reno metro area at the time.

"This was an incredibly difficult fire," Cochran said. "These types of wind-driven fires are almost impossible to stop, and our thoughts are with those residents who have suffered loss due to the Pinehaven Fire."

Rain moved in later in the night, and there was no further threat of fires expected on Wednesday.

Three area schools – Caughlin Ranch Elementary, Swope Middle and Reno High – were closed Wednesday.

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak declared a state of emergency over the fire, as did city and county officials.

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

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.