King Fire slows Thursday; Man faces arson charges, $10 million bail; Lake Tahoe open

UPDATE FRIDAY 9AM: Highway 50 reopened Friday morning. Expect delays and partial lane closures. Westbound traffic is reduced to 1 lane from Riverton to Pollock Pines.

UPDATE: The King Fire was much less active Thursday and firefighters were able to gain control on the southwestern end of the fire near Pollock Pines. The fire is 10 percent contained as of Thursday night and has consumed 73,124 acres, Cal Fire officials said.

According to a Cal Fire public information officer the northernmost 'finger' of fire is around the west side of Hellhole Reservoir, headed to Chipmunk Ridge. There was structure protection preparation work at Hellhole Reservoir.

Smoke levels continue to plague western Nevada, particularly Carson City and Reno but the forecast calls for winds to change direction some and drive the smoke away, according a National Weather Service forecast discussion briefing issued Thursday night.

There are 3,842 firefighters on this fire. It is burning in steep terrain in the South Fork of the American River Canyon and Silver Creek Canyon, north of the community of Pollock Pines. The fire nearly tripled in size making a run to the northeast Wednesday of over 10 miles up the Rubicon Canyon towards Hell Hole Reservoir. Spot fires were observed up to 3 miles ahead of the fire front and have moved into Placer County.

North Tahoe Fire Protection District Fire Chief Michael Schwartz and Meeks Bay Fire Protection District Chief Tim Alameda issued a statement Thursday night saying there have been no evacuations thus far in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

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UPDATE: The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday the arrest of Wayne Allen Huntsman, 37, charged with felony arson for allegedly starting the King Fire on federal land. He was booked Wednesday night into El Dorado County Jail and is being held on $10 million bail.
The criminal complaint filed against Huntsman states that he has been charged with felony arson with aggravating factors. The California fire has burned more than 70,000 acres since Saturday.

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UPDATE: Smoke from the King Fire burning in El Dorado County near Pollock Pines is causing visibility restrictions below one mile on Interstate 80. The National Weather Service in Reno said it received reports of visibility down to a quarter mile on Donner Summit. The camera images are courtesy of Caltrans and are showing images from Castle Peak, over Donner Summit, to the Interstate 80 and Highway 89 interchange. If you have plans to travel on Interstate 80 today through the Sierra, slow down and be prepared for drastic reductions in visibility.

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California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for El Dorado County due to the King Fire, which grew Wednesday consuming more than 70,994 acres. There are more than 2,000 homes still threatened. 3,695 people are working the fire with 299 engines.
Caltrans is evaluating Highway 50, having closed, re-opened and closed it again. It was closed again this morning, according to the latest information on Twitter. Go here for the latest on the fire.

Air quality throughout the region remains unhealthy, according to airnow.gov. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.

The image above from the National Weather Service in Reno shows the probable areas of smoke through Friday based on forecast wind information and assuming the King Fire remains active. Southwest winds will keep the smoke area in the general same area. Winds have turned westerly and pushed smoke more into western Nevada. On Friday and through the weekend, winds will switch to the east and push the smoke out of the area. Smoke will reduce visibility and obscure terrain as well as reduce air quality at times in the color shaded areas.

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Lane closures and travel delays will begin Wednesday, Nov. 13 on U.S. 95 Alternate in Yerington as the Nevada Department of Transportation makes roadway drainage improvements.

The Morgan Mill High-Water Mark unveiling will be held on Nov. 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Morgan Mill River Access Area, 5597 Morgan Mill Road. This high-water mark project is an outreach tool designed to let people know their flood risk and to underscore how floodplains and open spaces work together to reduce their flood risk.

The Carson City School District’s Board of Trustees is pleased to announce nine student winners of the 23rd Annual American Citizen Essay Contest. Each winner was recognized at the school board meeting Tuesday, Nov. 12, and received the following cash prizes: First Place: $100, Second Place: $50 and Third Place: $30. Grade level winners include the following.

CARSON CITY — The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) newest transformation product is now available in all Northern Nevada offices. Customers can now register their vehicle online through Rapid Registration by going here.

UPDATE: Due to increased fire weather conditions, NV Energy has upgraded a Public Safety Outage Management (PSOM) Watch to Warning status in Genoa, southwestern Carson City and Virginia City Highlands in northern Nevada for today, Nov. 13 and into tomorrow morning.
A PSOM warning means a de-energization is likely to prevent the possibility of sparking a wildfire.
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A storm expected to move into the region Wednesday has prompted NV Energy to issue a Public Safety Outage Management (PSOM) warning for southwest Carson City to Genoa and the Virginia City Highlands.

UPDATE: For those wanting to make monetary donations please may checks payable to Food for Thought, which provides food for local children. The mailing address (also physical address) is 3246 North Carson Street, Suite 118, Carson City, 89706 or go online here at Food For Thought to donate in his name if this option works best for you.
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With the passing of Chef Charlie Abowd, Saturday, the food drive he and Steve Funk, KNVC 95.1 FM Radio's general manager, kicked off Nov. 9, has been renamed the KNVC and Chef Charlie Abowd Memorial Turkey Drop Food Drive. The event will take place annually.

CARSON CITY — A new paper co-authored by Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) team members showcases pioneering research into the integration of technology and workforce training in Nevada.

The Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team Fall Prescribed Fire Program continues for the next two weeks on Lake Tahoe’s eastern and southern shores, conditions and weather permitting.

Western Nevada is currently experiencing an above-average warm fall, as many are aware given the high temperatures we saw through September and October.

Here are the recent births that occurred at Carson Tahoe Hospital between Oct. 27 - Nov. 1, 2024.

Congratulations to the families from Carson Now!

On Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, the Capitol City Gun Club in Carson City will host its annual Thanksgiving Turkey Shoot on the Trap fields beginning at 9 a.m.

A 35-year-old man was arrested Saturday for suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, according to a Carson City Sheriff's Office booking report.

UPDATE: The gas leak issue has been resolved.
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Carson City Fire Department and sheriff's deputies responded Tuesday morning to a gas leak in the area of North Carson Street and William Street.

Carson High School’s senior spotlight this week is Savanah Guzman. We are thrilled to acknowledge and celebrate Savanah and all her achievements as she prepares for the next chapter of her life.

Only three days remaining to fill all volunteer shifts needed for the Carson High Holiday Craft Fair this weekend. Please click the link below to sign up.

Carson City Aglow meeting Friday, Nov. 22 at 3pm. The House of Prayer, 112 Telegraph St. Carson City.

Carson Fly Fishing Club's Monthly Meeting is Tuesday, November 19, 7 p.m. in the Ormsby Room of the Carson City Sheriff's Office, 911 East Musser Street.

This month speaker is James Mortimer, Game Warden for Nevada Department of Wildlife.  His presentation will be on Operation Game Thief program and local issues our area. The public is welcome to attend.

The next Carson City School Board meeting will take place Tuesday, Nov. 12 beginning at 6 p.m. in the Bob Crowell Board Room of the Community Center locate at 851 E. William St.

Saltwater Tavern, the city’s newest pirate and mermaid themed bar, is thrilled to announce its ribbon cutting celebration on Thursday, Nov. 14. Join us at 5:30 p.m. for the official ceremony led by Carson City’s very own Mayor Lori Bagwell. This exciting new venue promises a unique experience with its lively atmosphere, creative cocktails, and a dedication to community gatherings.

Eden Health of Northern Nevada dba Eden Hospice has acquired A Plus Hospice Care effective Nov. 1, 2024. Eden Health is committed to providing the same great quality of hospice care to A Plus Hospice Care’s current patients as well as continuing employment for their employees to ensure continuity of care.

Looking for a place to take your little ones this week? Look no further! Here is a list of family-friendly (and fun!) activities and events happening this week around Carson City.

Sierra Nevada Realtors released its October 2024 report Monday on existing home sales in Carson City along with Churchill, Douglas, Lyon, Storey and Washoe, excluding Incline Village, counties. The report includes the median sales price and number of home sales in the region. SNR obtains its information from the Northern Nevada Regional Multiple Listing Service.

UPDATE: Power has been restored in Carson City and in the area of the Callahan Fire.
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UPDATE: NV Energy has de-activated approximately 5,500 electricity customers in Washoe County in the area of the fire at Callahan Ranch.
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NV Energy reports 2,636 customers without power Monday morning in Carson City. The outage was reported at 9:46 a.m. At this time there is not an estimated time of restoration. The cause is under investigation.

UPDATE 5PM: Fire crews will be mopping up the Callahan Fire overnight and into tomorrow. One primary residential structure was lost along with multiple outbuildings. The cause is under investigation at this time. Some fire evacuations remain in place at Callahan Rd and Fawn Lane as crews mop up hot spots. See Perimetermap.com here for evacuation updates.
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UPDATE 2:20PM: Rain supporting firefighting efforts on the Callahan Fire, according to Truckee Meadows Fire in a social media post.
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UPDATE 12:55PM: The fire is estimated at approximately 100 acres; approximately 3,000 people have been impacted by evacuations. Rain is falling on the fire scene. Additional Strike Teams totaling 10-15 engines have begun arriving to assist on the fire, according to Eastern Sierra Fire and Ice, which tracks fires in the region.
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Just before 11 a.m. on Monday, the Washoe County Alert system sent out an evacuation notice to residents in the Callahan Ranch area stating they should evacuate immediately.

The evacuation point is at South Valleys Library located at 15650A Wedge Pkwy, Reno.

Dayton Elementary students were treated Friday to a helicopter fly-in by the Nevada National Guard as part of the school's Veterans Day program.

A team from Nevada National Guard landed a helicopter on the soccer field after the school's Veterans Day assembly. Dayton Elementary is the only school in Lyon County that is a Purple Star School.

Veterans Day is Monday, Nov. 11 and is a federal holiday to honor all veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces. A number of events are planned in Carson City and surrounding counties.

The Carson City School District is proud to recognize Carson City Toyota as its November Community Partner of the Month as a Legacy Level partner, the highest level, for their ongoing commitment to supporting local schools and for their generous financial and in-kind contributions to enhance the educational experience for students in Carson City for more than 25 years.

Charle Abowd, a world renowned, award-winning chef and restaurateur but even more than that a philanthropist and community fixture for decades, died Saturday evening, according to longtime friends.

Abowd, 73, was a pioneer in farm to table dining, along with his wife Karen who co-owned Cafe at Adele's, he was a champion and supporter of music and the arts. He was a man who dedicated himself to lifting up others.

Leave it to Western Nevada College’s ROADS program to help a student discover the “road” to a new professional career.

A beautiful Sunday sunrise unfolded over Carson City this Sunday morning.