Multiple homes destroyed, damaged by wildfire in Nevada
A raging wildfire in Reno, Nev., destroyed five homes, damaged 15 others and forced the evacuations of hundreds more, authorities said Wednesday.
The blaze broke out Tuesday night and quickly grew to more than two square miles due to strong winds, but it subsided Tuesday night, and into Wednesday morning, after rain fell in the area.
Authorities warned that the blaze could flare up again if winds pick up.
The National Weather Service reported a wind gust of 77 mph on Tuesday afternoon.
“Even though there was literally snow on the ground in some areas, a wind-driven fire like that is almost impossible to stop,” Reno Fire Chief David Cochran said.
As many as 500 homes were threatened. A number of road closures were in effect until Wednesday afternoon.
Cochran said that two firefighters were injured while fighting the fire, local television station KOLO-TV reported.
They have been treated at hospitals and have already been released.
Late on Tuesday, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak declared a state of emergency to ensure that resources from the local, state and federal levels would be available to the area.
“I want to thank all the first responders, local government agencies and nonprofit entities who have already stepped up to assist the community during this emergency event,” Gov. Sisolak said in a statement.
Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve also signed a local emergency declaration, urging residents to stay out of the area.
On Wednesday morning, officials reported that the fire was 5% contained.
Operations will continue throughout the day. Residents are still not allowed into the burn area, but some residents are now allowed to walk into other affected neighborhoods.
Another wildfire, in the nearby community of Walker, Calif., left one person dead and destroyed buildings in that tiny community.
With News Wire Services
