Fast-moving fire in Washoe Valley prompts evacuations and highway closure

10AM UPDATE: I-580 has reopened to through traffic.

SUNDAY UPDATE 9:30AM: Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District said this morning, that while there appears to be no fire activity, there are numerous hotspots and they anticipate rekindles and flareups due to the wind. A Red Flag Warning is in place for Reno and the Carson Valley until 8 p.m. Sunday. They said this is why evacuations remain in place in areas south of Mount Rose Highway - areas north of that highway were changed from mandatory evacuation to warning areas overnight. Fire crews are working aggressively to suppress this fire and will lift evacuations as soon as it is safe. All road closures remain in effect and the public is asked to avoid those areas. Due to the volatile situation, no update on acres burned or possible containment has been released this morning. The current evacuation location is the Senior Center on 9th and Wells. Large animal evacuation is at the University of Nevada Equine Facility on Valley Rd.

10:45PM UPDATE: Washoe County has declared a state of emergency for the Davis Fire in order to draw on regional resources. The wildfire broke out in Davis Creek Regional Park around 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, and the park has suffered several structural losses, according to Washoe County Parks & Open Space.

One of the structures lost to the fire was a park residence. The family was evacuated safely but the home and possessions are lost, and some pets are unaccounted for.

“Davis Creek Regional Park is home to a beloved campground and recreation area, and the loss is heartbreaking, but safety is our priority, and we are happy to report that all campers and park residents were evacuated safely,” Parks Superintendent Colleen Wallace-Barnum said. “Evacuations are in place and we ask everyone who does not need to be out on the roads to avoid the area and give fire crews room to work.”

Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest are in unified command in the management of the fire. Also assisting are the City of Reno Fire Department, the City of Sparks Fire Department, and others.

The fire is now estimated to be approximately 1,500 acres with at least 12 structures lost. A large portion of south Reno is under evacuation notice, and Virginia City Highlands is under an evacuation warning. Interstate 580 is closed in both directions between Reno and Carson City, as is Old 395 and Eastlake Boulevard.

I-580 is closed from Damonte Ranch Parkway in South Reno to College Parkway in North Carson. Old Highway 395 to Eastlake is open to assist with southbound traffic.

The evacuation area has not grown since earlier this evening.

6:20 PM UPDATE: The fire has burned 1,500 acres, with six structures lost. There is a heavy air attack on the fire with more than 30 agencies called in the help with more coming, according to the latest from Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue.

WASHOE COUNTY, Nev. - The Washoe Valley fire near Davis Creek has grown to 500 acres with zero containment. Immediate evacuations include the Galena area. This is a rapidly changing situation due to the wind.

At this hour, I-580 is closed in both directions between Lakeview at Carson City and the Mt. Rose Highway.

This story will be updated as information changes.