Lombardo declares state of emergency for Washoe fires

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo has declared a state of emergency Monday in several areas across Washoe County and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony as the Bug and Fred Mountain Fires continue to grow.

As of Monday evening, the fires have burned more than 16,000 acres, threatening thousands of homes in areas of Washoe County and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony.

More than 6,000 people have been evacuated due to the wildfires from the area, with thousands more in warning zones as the fire continues to grow. 

Buildings and infrastructure have also been impacted by the fires, including schools, power lines, natural gas lines, a water treatment facility, a local airport, and telecommunications sites. 

Evacuation zones are still expanding due to the quick growth of the fires, residents in Washoe County can see the most recent evacuation orders on a state website. 

“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,” said Governor Joe Lombardo. “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 state of emergency will be in place until August 17 unless conditions improve before then, according to Lombardo’s office. 

The state of emergency comes after Washoe County declared their own local emergency, along with the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony declaring a tribal emergency. 

The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony has established an evacuation center for members at the RSIC Reno Gym located at 34 Reservation Road. Those who need assistance evacuating can call 775-842-2902 or 775-895-9835.

Evacuees who are not members of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Tribe can go to an evacuation center set up at Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center at 1301 Valley Rd. in  Reno. 

On Monday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency also authorized the use of federal funds to assist Nevada in combating the Bug Fire in Washoe County.

The state of Nevada submitted the request Aug. 8, after the fires scorched through 3,000 acres, threatening about 1,800 homes in and around Cold Springs and Silver Knolls. At that point, 4,000 people in the area had already been evacuated. 

The Fire Management Assistance Grant provides federal funding for up to 75% of eligible firefighting costs, and is approved through FEMA to assist combating fires that threaten to become major disasters. 

The funding will help firefighters pay for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies, and mobilization efforts.