high winds

High winds have knocked out the power all across the western Nevada region, including Carson City, Gardnerville, Dayton, Lake Tahoe, Reno and Sparks.

A strong cold front will push through the Sierra and western Nevada beginning Friday that will bring gusty winds and much colder temperatures. Beginning Saturday, there is a strong chance for snow throughout the Reno, Carson City and Minden region.

UPDATE: The Poeville Fire is burning in grass and brush on the eastside of Peavine Mountain northwest of Reno, Nevada. At 9 p.m., the fire was estimated at 1,500 acres and zero percent contained. Local, state, county, and federal firefighters are on scene.
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UPDATE 6:04 p.m.: 250 personnel from multiple agencies including the Carson City Fire Department are on scene battling the fire. The acreage is estimated at 650 acres.

UPDATE 5:50PM: Carson City Fire Department Chief Sean Slamon reports the brush fire, now under control, was approximately 1 acre in size and two homes were immediately threatened when firefighters arrived.

"The fire was challenging from down drafts and erratic high winds. Crews were able to protect the structures and stop the forward progress very quickly," said Slamon.

Firefighters will remain on scene for another 1 to 2 hours. The cause is under investigation.
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UPDATE: Forward progress on the Mark fire was stopped at 5:36 p.m., according to a Carson City Fire Department battalion chief on scene. Mop up efforts are underway. It is unknown at this time if any structures have been damaged. We will update as information becomes available.
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Carson City Fire Department is responding early Tuesday evening to a brush fire in the 1000 block of Mark Way. Smoke is visible and Carson City dispatch is receiving multiple 911 calls.

Breezy northeast and east winds may result in another round of blowing dust Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Dust kicked up from nearby dry lake beds may produce localized areas of visibility reduced below 4 miles, including portions of Reno and Carson City.

In 2003, I wrote an article on making a home firesafe. I started with this “The raging fires in California are a terrible reminder of the wildfire risk of living in the urban-wildland interface.” Now, 16 years later, that initial sentence bears repeating. With climate change, global warming we are seeing hotter, more intense, faster spreading wildfires than ever before. Fuels such as brush, grasses and trees are tinder dry everywhere, including Northern Nevada.

In the wake of today's high winds, several homes on the west side of Carson City are again being inundated by tumbleweeds, most of which nearby residents claim are coming from the nearby Andersen Ranch, and the city isn't doing enough to stop it.

Fire season is upon us, and while the high temperatures may have come a little late this year, the wet winter and cool temperatures also created a perfect growing situation for fast acting fuels such as cheat grass.

Last year, our community watched with sadness and horror at the Camp Fire and Butte Fire that destroyed our western neighbor communities in California. Those fires, it has now been revealed, were caused by PG&E power lines combined with quick acting, dry fuels.

The question we've wondered is "can this tragedy happen here?" Especially after last fire season, with a number of local fires being related in some way to NV Energy power lines.

Multiple power outages are being reported early Monday afternoon around Carson City and Douglas County due to a weather system that prompted a High Wind Warning earlier this morning for much of the region. Meanwhile, wind gusts flipped two vehicles on I-580 north of Carson City in Washoe Valley late Monday morning causing some traffic delays.

MINDEN — Douglas County has been responding to several reports of minor flooding in the Carson Valley. We have also seen water and minor debris on the roadways in many areas. Douglas County Emergency Management continues to survey the area along with Douglas County road crews and law enforcement.

Carson City Public Works crews are spending Wednesday assessing drain inlets and opening storm drains as the brunt of a winter storm is expected to bring drenching rain and high winds to the valley region and feet of snow in the high Sierra.

MINDEN — Douglas County is urging residents to prepare for the possibility of flooding and high winds. A storm is coming Wednesday and Thursday which could potentially cause flooding for snow-clogged drainage areas, poor drainage areas, and small streams below 6000 feet, however no rivers have been predicted to flood at this time.

Lyon County is taking a proactive approach with the anticipated upcoming storm. With rain predicted in higher elevations the threat of flash flooding is a concern, said County Manager Jeff Page. Lyon County crews are establishing self fill sandbag stations at the following locations:

After a break from active weather Monday and Tuesday another storm system will move into the region Wednesday bringing high winds, feet of Sierra snow and the potential for heavy valley rains, according to the National Weather service.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Carson City area and greater Reno-Tahoe region in effect now until 10 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Heavy snowfall is forecast for the greater Reno, Carson City and Minden area with total accumulation between 6-12 inches. Up to two feet of snow is forecast for elevations above 5,000 feet.

The greater Carson City area was greeted with snow on the ground Sunday morning, with more on the way overnight, according to the National Weather Service.

UPDATE: Are you ready for a weather change Carson City? The National Weather Service urges holiday travelers to plan now for impacts as systems are coming together that will likely bring gusty winds, valley rain and mountain snow ahead of Thanksgiving and into Saturday.

The death toll continues to climb and the number of homes and structures destroyed grows from the Camp Fire wildfire in Paradise, Calif. Fires are also raging in Southern California. Here are a few ways you can help.

Autumn has arrived. With it comes the promise of cooler temperatures and, hopefully, some moisture.

But don't let Summer's exit fool you into thinking we are leaving wildfire season behind, too. Across the Great Basin, wildfire has no season.

Often people assume all newly planted trees should be staked and that is not the case.

Most trees establish themselves best when left to move in the wind. This helps them develop strong, balanced trunks.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The body of a 21-year-old California man was located in Lake Tahoe Sunday afternoon, more than 24 hours after he jumped off a boat near Edgewood Tahoe.

Drift smoke from both new and older wildfires around Northern California and Nevada moved into the Carson City area on Friday afternoon.

Noting a potentially dangerous fire weather situation with gusty winds and low humidity ahead, the National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Red Flag Warning from Friday afternoon to Saturday night for Carson City, the Sierra and throughout much of the entire western and northern Nevada region.

UPDATE 8:45AM Thursday: From Erin Holland, U.S. Forest Service public information officer: “There is no change to the footprint of the fire overnight. Crews from the Sierra Front were able to hold the fire at 504 acres, which was reported last night. We should have an update of containment this afternoon. The fire remains 30 percent contained.” Containment is expected by 6 p.m. Friday night.
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Voluntary evacuations for the Carson Colony and Voltaire Canyon areas were lifted Wednesday afternoon as firefighters continue to make significant progress on the wildfire, according to Carson City Fire Chief Sean Slamon.

Beginning Tuesday, March 6, the Carson City Fire Department will conduct a prescribed burn in the area of Timberline. Smoke will be visible and the fire department encourages the public to contact 911 only if an emergency exists.

In late 2015, the Nevada Department of Transportation enhanced the wind warning system prohibiting high-profile vehicles such as semi-trucks and RVs during high winds through Washoe Valley.

UPDATE: A High Wind Warning is in effect now through 10 p.m. Thursday for Carson City and much of Western Nevada as a winter storm arrives in the region.
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A winter storm will provide the potential for strong and damaging winds beginning Thursday into Thursday night, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a High Wind Watch for Carson City and much of the western Nevada region.

Hello fellow anglers. I am happy to say, the winter solstice has come and gone. Meaning, each day now brings one minute longer of daylight. But as we all know, that does not mean it will get any warmer soon. Down here in the Minden and Carson Valleys we've experienced an average of 7 to 10 degree mornings.

The long-awaited, much-anticipated 800 pound metal eagle sculpture has finally found its permanent home Thursday on the south end of the Carson City freeway.

Gusty conditions ahead of rain and snow showers in the Carson City region has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a High Wind Warning beginning Sunday morning.