Fire crews called to aircraft crash, wild fire on Slide Mountain near Davis Creek campground
UPDATE MONDAY MORNING: The Slide Fire that grew to 80 acres overnight and is 10 percent contained as of Monday morning, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
This story has been updated to reflect Monday's firefighting efforts. Go here for the updated version of this story.
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UPDATE 7:47PM: The Slide Fire remains at 40-acres as of 7:30 p.m. Sunday night, according to the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The specific cause of the fire is under investigation, but Ian Gregor, Public Affairs Manager with the Federal Aviation Administration, said in an email that an unidentified aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances in the area where the fire occurred.
There are a number of resources already on the fire including 10 engines, four helicopters, two scoopers, four air tankers, and two Single Engine Air Tankers. More resources are on order including four hand crews.
Firefighting supplies and resources are being flown to the fire due the terrain being extremely steep and rugged. No strong winds are expected on the fire in the next couple of days.
The fire is one mile southeast of the Winter Creek Lodge in the Slide Bowl area of the Mt. Rose Ski Resort near Reno. No structures are currently threatened, including the Slide Mountain communication site.
Recreationists are asked to stay out of the Brown’s Creek and Davis Creek areas. North Washoe Valley Road Closed (Old U.S. Route 395A) in both directions between I-580 - Exit 50 and Franktown Road in Washoe Valley due to the number of fire resources accessing the area. Local residence will be allowed through.
Fire officials are asking people to drive slowly and not pull over and take pictures for public and fire fighter safety.
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UPDATE 6:06PM: Truckee Meadows Fire reports progress being made on the Slide Fire, with fire behavior less aggressive than earlier. Residents in Washoe Valley, Franktown Road area should remain vigilant, and monitor local news reports. No word yet on the downed aircraft that started the fire. FAA is investigating.
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UPDATE 5:35PM: Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center reports the Slide Fire is 40 acres. Air and ground attacks continue.
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UPDATE 4:48PM: Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District reports continued air and ground attack on fire. FAA on scene and NTSB enroute. Fire is no longer advancing to Mt. Rose Ski Area.
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UPDATE 4:33PM: One Carson City Fire Department Type 3 Engine is responding from B52, according to CCFD Battalion Chief Matthew Donnelly.
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UPDATE 4:11PM: Volunteers with the Washoe Sheriff Search and Rescue are in the back country helping to inform and evacuate hikers in the area of the Slide Fire area. US-395A is closed both directions near I-580. Use alternate route.
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UPDATE 3:31PM: News 4 reports the fire is 20 acres. PIO Adam Mayberry tells KRNV the #SlideFire is approximately 20 acres and continues to burn uphill. Authorities know where the aircraft crash happened but aren’t able to access the exact location due to dangerous fire conditions.
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UPDATE: 3:18PM: Alternate Route Highway 395 is closed, according to Washoe County dispatch.
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UPDATE 3PM: Several agencies are responding to the brush fire on Slide Mountain just above Davis Creek. The Washoe County Sheriff Office, via Twitter, is requesting that if you know anyone hiking or camping in the area of Tahoe Meadows or Slide Mountain ask to them evacuate.
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UPDATE 2:41PM: Truckee Meadows Fire Protection reports the 5-acre fire was caused by an aircraft crash below Slide Mountain. Crews are attempting to get medics to crash site. The fire agency initially reported it was a plane crash. Witnesses at Davis Creek report seeing gliders in the area earlier.
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UPDATE: Firefighters are responding to a possible aircraft crash and subsequent wild fire reported Sunday afternoon in the vicinity of Bowers Mansion in Washoe Valley on the eastern face of Slide Mountain, according to Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District.
The fire is visible from Washoe Lake where witnesses have called 911 dispatch, reporting the fire just before 2 p.m., according to a Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District tweet.
Flames and smoke are visible. The fire is around half way up the mountain and appears to be climbing toward the top of the peak. At this time it doesn't appear as though structures are threatened. It is directly above the Davis Creek Campground in the canyon.
One Davis Creek camper reported seeing gliders around the area of the fire earlier Sunday. Some gliders are equipped with small engines. Campers stated they did not hear a collision before the fire began.
A Washoe County deputy on scene reported there had been no schedule flights in the area with flight control.
The fire agency advises all people to avoid the area.
Two helicopters have been flying around the area to determine what kind of aircraft and how to get access to the fire.
The Nevada Highway Patrol is responding as well as Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong.
Check back for updates.
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