Fire investigators: Little Valley Fire in Washoe Valley caused by NDF prescribed burn
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Wed, 10/26/2016 - 5:29pm
Fire investigators say the Oct. 14 Little Valley Fire, which destroyed 23 homes, 17 outbuildings and chewed more than 2,200 acres was caused by a prescribed fire conducted earlier in the month by the Nevada Division of Forestry.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources made the report available shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday, and was unavailable for comment.
"Based on fire pattern indicators, mapping, witness statements, and utilizing the Scientific Method, this fire was caused by an escape from the Little Valley Prescribed fire (burn)," said Dennis Terry of the Bureau of Land Management. "All other possible causes for this fire were eliminated. With winds coming out of the west/west northwest at a steady speed of 16/20 mph with gusts over 80 mph, embers from smoldering or re-ignited vegetation crossed the control line for the prescribed fire and ignited unburned vegetation outside the prescribed fire."
The following statement was made by Joe Freeland, State Forester/Fire Warden.
"The Nevada Division of Forestry is deeply moved by and concerned with the tragic impacts to the residents of west Washoe Valley," he said. "NDF staff has worked closely with many of these residents over the years and has offered conservation crews and natural resource specialists as part of the recovery team."
Kay Scheer, interim director of the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has asked for an "Escaped Prescribed Fire Review," that would provide "an in-depth, formal and independent review performed by persons from across the nation, representing multiple jurisdictions and areas of knowledge."
See the full report below.
