10,000 evacuated due to fire near Reno, Nevada

[alp227]

A fast-moving brush fire burning just south of Reno, Nevada, on Thursday prompted evacuations, closed a major highway and led the governor of Nevada to declare a state of emergency.

The more than 3,000-acre fire began burning around 1 p.m. Thursday in North Washoe Valley, according to a press release from county officials. At least 10,000 people have been evacuated. There was no containment on the blaze, said Nancy Leuenhagen, Washoe County press Iinformation officer.

Video from CNN Reno affiliate KOLO showed dark smoke plumes, fueled by heavy wind and dry vegetation, pushing toward U.S. Highway 395. A 12-mile stretch of the highway remained closed late Thursday, according to Dan Lopez of the Nevada Highway Patrol.

Several flights at the Reno airport have been canceled or diverted, CNN affiliate KTVN reported.

full: http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/19/us/nevada-wildfire/index.html

At least there'll be rain/snow in the Reno/Tahoe area throughout Friday and Saturday.

[rollin74]

1. luckily, most of those evacuated have been allowed to return

at least 20 homes have been lost though

very strange to have a brush fire like this in January!

[newfie11]

2. not surprised with this wind

Here WY/NE border 70-100 MPH wind gusts yesterday. Hope they get snow soon.