Nevada governor declares state of emergency as 1,200-acre wildfire destroys five homes in Reno while another blaze across the border in California razes 80 buildings, leaving one person dead

 A fast-moving wildfire destroyed several homes in a Reno neighborhood and forced hundreds of people to evacuate as it ripped across the 1,200 acres in the Sierra Nevada foothills.  

As many as 500 homes were threatened by the Pinehaven Fire that grew to more than two square miles within hours of igniting in brush above the neighborhood on Tuesday, Reno Fire Chief David Cochran said. 

He said at least five homes were destroyed and 15 others were damaged as of Wednesday afternoon. The fire was 50 percent contained by the end of the day, and Cochran said it was expected to be fully contained by Friday.  

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak had declared a state of emergency on Tuesday to ensure enough resources are available to affected communities. 

'I want to thank all the first responders, local government agencies and nonprofit entities who have already stepped up to assist the community during this emergency event,' Sisolak said. 'This truly reflects Nevada's Battle Born spirit and our commitment to caring for one another in times of need.' 

Meanwhile another blaze about 100 miles south and across the border in California - dubbed the Mountain View Fire - also exploded in strong winds Tuesday, killing one person, driving hundreds from their homes and destroying 80 structures in and around a small community, including some houses.  

The Pinehaven Fire has destroyed several homes in a Reno neighborhood and forced hundreds of people to evacuate as it ripped across the 1,200 acres in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Pictured: Residents watch the blaze on a hillside on Tuesday

The Pinehaven Fire has destroyed several homes in a Reno neighborhood and forced hundreds of people to evacuate as it ripped across the 1,200 acres in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Pictured: Residents watch the blaze on a hillside on Tuesday 

As many as 500 homes were threatened by the Pinehaven Fire that grew to more than two square miles within hours of igniting in brush above the neighborhood on Tuesday

As many as 500 homes were threatened by the Pinehaven Fire that grew to more than two square miles within hours of igniting in brush above the neighborhood on Tuesday

Reno Fire Chief David Cochran said at least five homes were destroyed and 15 others were damaged as of Wednesday

Reno Fire Chief David Cochran said at least five homes were destroyed and 15 others were damaged as of Wednesday

Fire crews continued battling the blaze overnight Tuesday (pictured) and throughout the day Wednesday

Fire crews continued battling the blaze overnight Tuesday (pictured) and throughout the day Wednesday


The Mountain View Fire destroyed 80 structures in Mono County, California, on Tuesday

Firefighters sift through debris to recover keepsakes for residents after the Mountain View Fire tore though Mono County

Firefighters sift through debris to recover keepsakes for residents after the Mountain View Fire tore though Mono County

The Mountain View Fire exploded in strong winds Tuesday, killing one person, driving hundreds from their homes and destroying 80 structures in and around a small community, including some houses

The Mountain View Fire exploded in strong winds Tuesday, killing one person, driving hundreds from their homes and destroying 80 structures in and around a small community, including some houses

Rains overnight Tuesday helped tamp down the flames in both California and Nevada. Crews in Reno had feared another lashing of strong winds would revive the fire Wednesday, but those conditions subsided.

Two firefighters were injured while battling the Pinehaven Fire but have been treated and released. One suffered an allergic reaction, and the other injured a leg while helping evacuate 1,300 residents.

Extremely dry conditions helped fuel the blaze in rugged, hard-to-reach canyons that run between homes in the densely populated neighborhood. 

'Even though there was literally snow on the ground in some areas, a wind-driven fire like that is almost impossible to stop,' Cochran said.  

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak (pictured) declared a state of emergency to ensure enough resources are available to affected communities

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak (pictured) declared a state of emergency to ensure enough resources are available to affected communities

Anita Noble of Reno was spraying down a hillside with a garden hose near her daughter's home, telling KOLO-TV that she 'could have been the one to save my daughter´s house and the neighbor's house'.

'We were about ready to leave, and I saw a bunch of smoke, and my daughter said it was coming from up in the canyon, and it wasn't, it was right below the ravine,' Noble said. 'And it was within 10 yards from her property line, so I got the hose and I started spraying. And it helped.'

Mayor Hillary Schieve signed a local emergency declaration and pleaded with residents to stay out of the area. Police Chief Jason Soto said he was increasing patrols in evacuated neighborhoods to help protect homes and businesses.

Authorities cut power to about 7,000 customers as a precaution, and several roads were closed.

Police assisted with evacuations, and the Red Cross set up an emergency shelter at the Washoe County senior center.

Investigators from the state and Reno fire marshal's office as well as the utility NV Energy were trying to find the cause of the fire.

Fire Department incident commander Mark Winkelman said the fire started about 200 yards from the origin point of a November 2011 fire that destroyed 27 homes. That blaze was ignited by arcing power lines at a substation in strong winds, he said.


Teams were responding from fire departments in Reno and California to help battle the blaze through Tuesday night

Teams were responding from fire departments in Reno and California to help battle the blaze through Tuesday night

A firefighter sprays water on a home engulfed by flames in a Reno neighborhood on Tuesday

A firefighter sprays water on a home engulfed by flames in a Reno neighborhood on Tuesday  

A firefighter tries to put out the final flames of a burned home in the Caughlin Ranch area of Reno on Tuesday

A firefighter tries to put out the final flames of a burned home in the Caughlin Ranch area of Reno on Tuesday

Wooden steps burn after wildfires in Southwest Reno, destroyed several homes in the Juniper Hills area on Tuesday

Wooden steps burn after wildfires in Southwest Reno, destroyed several homes in the Juniper Hills area on Tuesday

'This is an extremely dynamic situation,' Cochran said. 'Precipitation is expected, but we're not relying on that. We are working to protect homes to the extent that we can'

'This is an extremely dynamic situation,' Cochran said. 'Precipitation is expected, but we're not relying on that. We are working to protect homes to the extent that we can' 

Flames cast a rainbow hue over a home that was torched by the Pinehaven Fire on Tuesday

Flames cast a rainbow hue over a home that was torched by the Pinehaven Fire on Tuesday 

Hundreds of people were evacuated as the Pinehaven Fire raged out of control on Tuesday night

Hundreds of people were evacuated as the Pinehaven Fire raged out of control on Tuesday night 

Smoke billows out of a neighborhood in southwest Reno that was torched by the Pinehaven Fire

Smoke billows out of a neighborhood in southwest Reno that was torched by the Pinehaven Fire 

Flames torch dry brush on a hillside in the Caughlin Ranch neighborhood of Reno on Tuesday

Flames torch dry brush on a hillside in the Caughlin Ranch neighborhood of Reno on Tuesday 

A fire truck drives through thick smoke from the Pinehaven Fire on Tuesday

A fire truck drives through thick smoke from the Pinehaven Fire on Tuesday 

Meanwhile, crews north of Reno were battling a brush fire that broke out along the California-Nevada line and has forced the closure of State Highway 70 near Vinton and Chilcoot, California. 

Authorities said some structures were threatened.

And the Mountain View Fire, across the border in California's remote Mono County, exploded to more than 45 square miles Tuesday, burning into the tiny community of Walker. 

Rain and snow slowed its growth Wednesday, according to the US Bureau of Land Management.

One person died, but authorities offered no details. While about 800 residents remained under evacuation orders, a highway reopened. 

The cause of the fire wasn't yet known, and the land agency said officials were still assessing the damage.

Mono County sheriff's spokeswoman Sarah Roberts said an unknown number of homes were among the losses from the wind-driven fire.

'The winds were horrific yesterday,' Roberts said. 

Several homes in Walker are seen completely destroyed on Wednesday after the Mountain View Fire ripped through

Several homes in Walker are seen completely destroyed on Wednesday after the Mountain View Fire ripped through

Firefighters Emiliano Saldivar (left) and Chris Martinez (right) sift through debris after the Mountain View Fire

Firefighters Emiliano Saldivar (left) and Chris Martinez (right) sift through debris after the Mountain View Fire

Officials said 80 buildings were razed by the Mountain View Fire - including many in Walker (pictured)

Officials said 80 buildings were razed by the Mountain View Fire - including many in Walker (pictured)

Nevada governor declares state of emergency as 1,200-acre wildfire destroys five homes in Reno while another blaze across the border in California razes 80 buildings, leaving one person dead Nevada governor declares state of emergency as 1,200-acre wildfire destroys five homes in Reno while another blaze across the border in California razes 80 buildings, leaving one person dead Reviewed by CUZZ BLUE on November 19, 2020 Rating: 5

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