Nevada Declares State of Emergency as Wind-Driven "Bug Fire" Threatens Washoe County Communities

RENO, NV — Nevada officials have issued a state of emergency as interagency wildland fire crews battle the rapidly expanding Bug Fire, which has burned past 15,000 acres along the California-Nevada border.

Driven by dry sagebrush fuels, steep terrain, and gusty afternoon winds, the wildfire forced mandatory “EVACUATE NOW” directives for residents north of Cold Springs, Hungry Valley, and neighborhoods surrounding the Reno-Stead Airport.

+--------------------------------------------------------+
|             BUG FIRE EMERGENCY RESPONSE DOSSIER        |
+--------------------------------------------------------+
|  - Official Action: Nevada State of Emergency Declared |
|  - Total Footprint: ~15,000 Acres                      |
|  - Active Evacuation Zones: Hungry Valley, Cold Springs|
|  - Lead Response Agencies: NDF, CAL FIRE, BLM, TMFPD,  |
|                            Nevada Army National Guard  |
|  - Primary Shelter: Evelyn Mount Community Center      |
+--------------------------------------------------------+

Aerial Support and Ground Containment Efforts

The Nevada Army National Guard deployed CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to execute heavy aerial water drops over active mountain flanks, joining air tankers deployed by Cal Fire and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Ground crews from Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District and the Nevada Division of Forestry continue constructing handlines along threatened valley floor perimeters.

“Emergency commanders are working under severe wind conditions to hold containment lines and safeguard homes along the valley floor,” state emergency operations officials noted.

Shelter Locations and Traffic Advisory

Human Shelters: Open at the Evelyn Mount Community Center (1301 Valley Rd, Reno) and the Reno Gym (34 Reservation Rd) for displaced residents.
Livestock & Pets: Small pets are being accepted at Washoe County Regional Animal Services, while livestock shelters are open at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center.

Primary road restrictions remain active on secondary access roads surrounding active fire lines near Red Rock Road and Lemmon Drive.

Source: Nevada Division of Emergency Management, CAL FIRE Incident Command, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.