Friday King Fire update: Highway 50 reopens, air quality remains unhealthy

UPDATE: Air quality monitors in Carson City and Gardnerville are reporting levels of particulate matter in the unhealthy range due to smoke from the King fire in California, according to Nevada environmental health officials.

People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should consider moving activities indoors and avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.

Nevada Division of Environmental Protection will continue to monitor air quality in Carson City and Garnerville and more information will be released as it becomes available. Please note that changes in air quality from wildfire smoke can occur rapidly, so if you see or smell smoke, stay indoors with the windows closed and the air conditioning on and reduce activity. Over the weekend, local air quality conditions can be accessed at nvair.ndep.nv.gov or you can visit the Washoe County site at www.ourcleanair.com.

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The King Fire grew by about 3,000 acres overnight and is currently 76,376 acres with 10 percent containment, Cal Fire officials said Friday morning. Highway 50 has reopened. Expect delays and partial lane closures. Westbound traffic is reduced to 1 lane from Riverton to Pollock Pines.

Friday's firefighting concerns include changes in the weather. Late afternoon winds are expected to come from the east and northeast. Winds will be strongest at the higher elevations and on the ridge tops. Humidity is expected to be lower and temperatures higher, which is likely to increase fire activity from yesterday.

No structures are reported damaged or destroyed. About 2,800 people are affected by mandatory and advisory evacuations. About 12,000 residences remain threatened, which is the same as reported Thursday.

The current Air Quality Index is listed as Unhealthy since fine particulates (PM 2.5) due to smoke from the King Fire have remained trapped under last night's inversion. You may want to consider limiting outdoor activities this morning if at all possible.

Fortunately for areas east of the Sierra crest, winds will be easterly today pushing smoke out of the Reno/Tahoe areas. This will, hopefully, allow fire fighters to gain some ground while our lungs clear our for the next two to three days.

For more resources about air quality and the location of the forecast graphic below, go here.

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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.

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.

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

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.

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:

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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.