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.

Top Stories

... or see all stories

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.
***
UPDATE: NV Energy has de-activated approximately 5,500 electricity customers in Washoe County in the area of the fire at Callahan Ranch.
***
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.
***
UPDATE 2:20PM: Rain supporting firefighting efforts on the Callahan Fire, according to Truckee Meadows Fire in a social media post.
***
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.
***
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.

Here is the Carson City area road report for the week of Nov. 11-17, 2024. Closures and lane restrictions are expected at the following locations due to road and utility work:

After a relatively mild weekend, another storm system is expected to arrive Monday that will bring gusty winds, mountain snow and some valley rain, according to the National Weather Service.

The Tazmanian Boxing Club from Carson City is heading to the nationals and is actively seeking sponsors to support their journey.

Carson City Fire Department, sheriff's deputies and Nevada Highway Patrol were called Saturday evening to a crash involving three vehicles near the intersection of Highway 50 East and Fairview.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the Douglas County TRIAD will hold a citizen’s law enforcement academy this coming Tuesday through Friday, Nov. 12-15.

Lane and shoulder closures will take place on U.S. 95 at Walker Lake beginning Tuesday, Nov. 12 as NDOT installs speed feedback signs.

On the heels of the recent dusting of snow, ‘Plates for Powder,’ the program that offers free skiing and riding opportunities to those who purchase a Lake Tahoe license plate, returns for the 2024-25 winter season.

Join Carson High Safe Grad for a Fun Run on the Carson River trail behind the Korean War Veterans Memorial Park for Veterans Day, Monday Nov, 11, 2024 beginning at 9 a.m.

Nevada Rural Counties RSVP Program, Inc. is excited to announce the 4th annual Veterans Pancake Breakfast, sponsored by Nevada Rural Counties RSVP Program, Inc. in partnership with the Carson City Elks Lodge No. 2177.

We are proud to announce that the 10u Blue football team from Carson City Pop Warner won the Snow Bowl last weekend!

They now qualify for the regional competition in Santa Clara, Ca. We are asking for help from the community to raise funds for travel expenses and lodging.

Supervisors approved allocating Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to the Mills Park Pickleball Courts Project.

The board was required to make a final recommendation and approval of funding for the CDBG projects to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Lyon County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) convened on Thursday, November 7, 2024, to hear presentations and approve several significant agenda items.

The Carson Middle School annual Veteran's Day Concert was briefly interrupted by a fire alarm this morning, but there was no fire and all students and community members are safe, according to the district.

"Carson Middle School had a fire alarm sound today during the Veteran’s Day concert. All students, staff and visitors were evacuated safely. There was not a fire. The fire department responded and gave the all-clear to re-enter the building. The school resumed the school day."

UPDATE 11:50 a.m.: On November 7, 2024, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) deputies responded to the 1200 block of Pit Road in the Gardnerville Ranchos for a report of domestic assault involving a firearm. The caller informed Douglas County Emergency Communications that her son, identified as John Brown, had allegedly assaulted her with a handgun and then fled on foot.

This holiday season, experience the enchanting performance of The Nutcracker as Nevada Dance Company presents its 35th annual production, a beloved tradition that brings the magic of ballet to Northern Nevada. Set against Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, The Nutcracker transports audiences to a world of swirling snowflakes, heroic soldiers, and the enchanting Sugarplum Fairy.

The Carson High School Blue Thunder Band will perform in Chicago for the Thanksgiving Day Parade this year.

Cleo got adopted after writing her own story two weeks ago, now her sister Juno insists she should be able to write hers as well. In Juno’s words:

The Carson City Fire Department (CCFD) would like to announce the start of the Fall 2024 Open Burn, with burning allowed from November 8, 2024, through January 1, 2025, dependent upon permit status and daily weather conditions. To make this a safe endeavor for those involved, the CCFD will require a burn permit.

The Friends of the Douglas County Library will host a two-day used book sale, Friday and Saturday, November 15-16, at the Minden Library, 1625 Library Lane.

Big Lots, Inc. (OTC: BIG) announced today store location 4215 S Carson St. Carson City, NV 8970, previously scheduled for closure, will remain open. The decision is part of the company’s ongoing restructuring process aimed at enhancing customer experience and refining its market presence.