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Containment Up To 29 Percent on Washington Fire near Markleeville

GARDNERVILLE, Nev. — The Washington Fire, located 3 miles south of Markleeville, California has burned 17,622 acres and is 29 percent contained as of Saturday morning. The primary objective of suppression efforts remains the protection of the community of Markleeville.

Thunderstorms are forecasted that could bring stronger winds and lightning, which could hamper firefighter’s efforts.

Highways 4 and 89 in the Monitor and Ebbetts Pass areas remain closed. An area closure has been issued by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management for the fire area. Go here and here for additional information on trails, campgrounds, and travel. The Pacific Crest Trail remains open.

Resources assigned to the Washington fire include the following; 34 crews, 53 engines, 12 water tenders, 11 helicopters and support personnel. There are 1,173 personnel assigned. Estimated Cost to Date: $6.4 million.

The town of Markleeville and the Grover Springs Hot Springs Campground is no longer under an evacuation advisory and the public may return to these areas. The public is encouraged to use caution when driving in these areas as fire apparatus are utilizing these roads to travel to and from the fire.

The availability of water to support firefighting efforts is a concern in large portions of the west this year. Thanks to a generous donation by Park Ranch, L.L.C. and support from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife the use of Heenan Lake water is contributing to the suppression of the Washington Fire.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Fire Warning for Saturday from 1 to 9 p.m. and a Fire Weather Watch from 9 p.m. Saturday to 9 p.m. Sunday. A high pressure system will settle over Nevada and remain through the weekend, bringing with it thunderstorms, warmer-than-usual temperatures and strong outflow winds with gusts up to 55 mph. The warning has been issued for the Western Sierra Front, Mono and Eastern Alpine counties, Surprise Valley, Eastern Lassen County, Northern Washoe County, Mineral County and Southern Lyon County.

For full coverage on the fire, including maps, graphs, video and stories go to Carson Valley Times here.

Go here to keep up-to-date on the status of this fire, and for other resources, go here and here for air quality updates. For more information on the health implications of wildfires, go here.

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The Nevada State Prison Preservation Society is once again offering tours to the community beginning in May and continuing through the month of October.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Carson City will host its first "Walking as One at 1" labyrinth walk on Saturday, May 4 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at 314 N. Division at Telegraph.

"Walking as One at 1" happens on World Labyrinth Day each year where participants across the globe engage in a labyrinth walk at 1 p.m. local time. This synchronized practice creates a 24-hour rolling wave of peaceful energy that passes from one time zone to the next across the world. The idea is to collectively contribute to a sense of unity and harmony.

The Carson City School District will host a quarterly Community Connections event next week, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from 5:45-7:30 p.m. at Carson High School.

Carson Animal Services Initiative, also known as CASI, welcomes the community to enjoy an evening of great music, delicious food and wonderful live and silent auction items to support animals in need.

Earlier this month it was announced that Carson City’s Burlington Coat Factory would be closing. Rumors of a potential Hobby Lobby taking its place have now been substantiated.

The popular craft store applied for a permit for the location Wednesday, according to the Carson City Planning Division.

MINDEN — The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that it has published preliminary copies of the revised Flood Insurance Rate Map and Flood Insurance Study report for Douglas County and incorporated areas. These materials are available for public viewing on FEMA's website.

Hello fellow anglers. Yes, it is that time of year for the California opening day fishing season. This year we actually will have an opening day. Last year with our excessive snow pack, we were not able to get on many rivers until mid summer due to runoff.

Carson City Fire Department and multiple agencies will host the 2nd annual wildfire education and preparedness workshop for the community Tuesday, April 30.

Nevada Humane Society, Carson City branch Pet of the Week is Macy, a 6-year-old gal who has been at our shelter since the end of January. She was surrendered because her owner could no longer have animals.

Nevada State Museum staff invite all to contribute to a bee hotel this Saturday, April 20 as they celebrate Earth Day in Carson City. Participants are encouraged to contribute to the bee hotel, a nesting place for solitary bee friends, and learn about other ways you can help native pollinators.

Drawing on humor splashed with insight, nationally recognized syndicated cartoonist Brian Crane, also known as “Mr. Pickles,” packed the house as guest speaker Tuesday at the Carson City Senior Center.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office would like to provide some tips related to online safety for juveniles. It is important for parents to know how to set up their children’s devices for several reasons.

Carson Area MPO

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While waiting in line I always carry along a little Kipling, mainly to call upon this one little snippet to sustain me, “If you can wait and not be tired by waiting.” I do love his epic little poem, “If.” That poem has helped me to maintain my balance on more occasions than I can count.

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Photo courtesy of Friend of the Nevada State Railroad Museum

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