The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday issued an urgent warning to residents in the Winnemucca Ranch Road area, declaring: “Evacuate Now – Go Now.”
New evacuation orders were put into effect as the flames continued to threaten communities. The combined fire was only 4% contained, according to the latest incident update.
The fire perimeter remains preliminary and does not necessarily mean structures inside the mapped area have been damaged or destroyed.
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency Monday for areas of Washoe County and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony affected by the Bug and Fred Mountain fires.
At the time of the declaration, the fires had burned more than 16,000 acres and forced more than 6,000 people to evacuate, with thousands more under evacuation warnings.
“Thousands of Nevadans have been forced from their homes as these fires continue to threaten communities across Washoe County and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony,” Lombardo said.
“The state is taking every available step to support local responders, protect lives and property, and ensure the resources necessary to confront these fires are where they are needed most.”
The emergency declaration, which took effect Aug. 10, directs state agencies to work through the Nevada Emergency Operations Center to bolster local firefighting and emergency efforts. It is set to remain in effect through Aug. 17 unless lifted sooner.
The latest evacuation orders come as officials continue to issue warnings across the region.
Evacuation warnings were also expanded into areas between the Fred Mountain and Stallion fires, east of the Stallion Fire and south toward Wadsworth, according to incident updates.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office urged residents to track evacuation zones, road closures and other emergency information as conditions change.
An evacuation center for people displaced by the Bug Fire has been moved to the Evelyn Mount Community Center in Reno.
The fire is also disrupting schools.
Natchez Elementary canceled classes and activities Tuesday, while eight other schools — including Desert Heights Elementary, Silver Lake Elementary, Lemmon Valley Elementary, Alyce Taylor Elementary, Jesse Hall Elementary, Spanish Springs Elementary, Shaw Middle School and Spanish Springs High School — remained closed, according to the Washoe County School District.
Officials have also been dealing with animal evacuations.
More than 150 animals were reportedly at a large-animal shelter at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, with authorities warning that space and resources were becoming limited.
