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    • The perimeter is expected to be extended 3 to 7 miles north on Wednesday
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    The perimeter is expected to be extended 3 to 7 miles north on Wednesday

    Vaseline Posted on

    Firefighters reported alarming news about the Davis fire, predicting that the fire would grow significantly and endanger hundreds of homes.

    Officials spoke at a community meeting Tuesday night at DePoali Middle School in Reno.

    Click here to watch the full meeting.

    The fire is forecast to spread as far as seven miles Wednesday, and fire officials said they will set up new evacuation zones Wednesday morning.

    Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said fire conditions could be the worst in a long time.

    The fire has burned nearly 5,700 hectares since it started in the Washoe Valley around 2 p.m. on Sept. 7. The fire, though 31 percent contained Tuesday night, is expected to become much worse Wednesday.

    Truckee Meadows Fire Chief Charlie Moore said winds are expected to increase, creating a rare and devastating weather system.

    The fire could spread as far as West Huffaker Lane, posing significant risks to residents of Arrowcreek and the Thomas Creek areas of south Reno.

    “Tomorrow it will be very dangerous because of the fire department,” Moore said.

    Stewart Turner, fire behaviour analyst for the incident management team, said wind gusts on Wednesday will reach speeds of 65 to 70 mph.

    He said the winds could be strong enough to blow down power lines, tear off roofs and topple trees. The winds will also likely ground planes that successfully fought the fire Tuesday. The winds will increase during the day and not die down until tomorrow evening.

    Turner said if he fed all the forecast information into a fire model, the fire could spread as far as seven miles.

    “Let’s say I’m half wrong, predicting the future is not easy,” he said. “If you say I’m half wrong, that’s still a three-mile run.”

    He said that based on his forecasts, the fire will move north earlier in the day and then, as the wind shifts in the afternoon, the fire will move east, where he said all the houses are.

    “The fire behavior is going to be the worst we’ve seen this year,” Turner said. “And you’re in the middle of it.”

    Washoe County School District Closes All Schools Wednesday Due to Davis Fire

    The Washoe County School District has announced that all schools will be closed on Wednesday.

    The district made the announcement shortly after Balaam told the crowd he advised WCSD against holding classes.

    “We don’t want to have to run to those schools,” Balaam said, “and worry about taking hundreds of kids away.”

    The school district notified parents Tuesday evening via voicemail, text message and email messages.

    “Based on extensive consultation with public safety officials and taking into account the erratic behavior observed at the Davis Fire and the deteriorating forecasted conditions, all schools in the Washoe County School District will be closed on Wednesday, September 11,” the district said in a message to families.

    “Canceling schools is not a decision we take lightly, but we must ensure the safety of all of our students, families and staff while also supporting our region’s public safety personnel. The Davis Fire remains out of control and is having a significant impact on our community.”

    Classes were canceled Monday at all WCSD schools except Gerlach K-12. Classes were also canceled Tuesday at nine WCSD schools closest to the fire.

    “This may cause other issues for parents, but please understand that this is for the safety of your children and the community,” Balaam said.

    Public lands and restoration work

    Matt Zumstein, agency manager for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, expressed his appreciation for the community’s outpouring of support for firefighters and the partnership with state agencies and the National Guard. But he did point out one entity that is not doing its part.

    “What we need,” he said, “is a little cooperation from Mother Nature.”

    In the short term, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will issue a closure order for public lands in the area of ​​the fire, from Hunter Creek to Franktown Road and U.S. 395.

    “The fact that there is an audience in the woods, on our trails and using our recreational facilities, is a hindrance (to firefighting),” Zumstein said.

    “We’re committed to this during the firefights, but it goes much further than that,” Zumstein said. “The emergency response to the burned area that comes after the fire when it starts raining, snowing, melting, that’s what we’re there for.”

    Zumstein said Humboldt-Toiyabe staff would help homeowners in the short term assess flood risk from bare slopes.

    “And then we’re 110 percent committed to the restoration work — to replanting, to reseeding, to whatever it takes to get these critical watersheds back to full function,” Zumstein said. “Hang in there. We have empathy. We’re doing everything we can.”

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