Board of Fire Commissioners receives update on Little Valley Fire

Cost of resources to fight the Washoe Valley area fire estimated at $4 million.

Reno, Nevada. Oct. 18, 2016. At Tuesday’s Board of Fire Commissioners meeting, Little Valley Fire Incident Commander from the Great Basin Type 1 team of the U.S Forest Service, Kim Martin, gave the Board an update on the wildfire. He said about 600 firefighters are fighting the Little Valley Fire, which started approximately 1:38 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016 in Washoe Valley and was driven by 80 mph wind gusts. Martin said the estimated cost of all resources to fight the fire totals about $4 million to date.

He said the Type 1 team took over as the lead agency on the Little Valley Fire at 6 p.m. on Friday. After using GPS remapping, his team reported the amount of acres burned by the Little Valley Fire has been reduced to 2,291 acres. As of Tuesday morning, the fire is 90 percent contained and the goal is to have the fire 100 percent contained by Thursday. Contained means the fire has stabilized.

Martin said the mop up operation of the fire should move rather quickly, as there are light fuels left near the burn area. Firefighters will be monitoring the fire around the clock. The Little Valley Fire burned 23 homes and 17 outbuildings.

At 10 a.m. Tuesday, Washoe Valley evacuees were allowed to go back to their neighborhoods.

TMPD Chief Charlie Moore sent his condolences to those who had property damaged by the fire and thanked all those who worked to fight the blaze.

“My heart goes out to all the residents affected by the Little Valley Fire. One of the characteristics of our country and our community is how we come together during a time of disaster. I want to thank TMFPD, Washoe County and all the partnering agencies for their hard work.”

Fire Commission Vice-Chair Bob Lucey (Dist.2) expressed his gratitude.

“I thank all the firefighters for all that you have done to fight this fire. It was incredible to see firefighters from several agencies with hundreds of engines lined up working side by side seamlessly. Unfortunately, we did lose 23 homes, but we could have lost many more,” said Commission Vice Chair Bob Lucey (Dist. 2).

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Renewal of a Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement with the City of Reno for automatic and mutual aid.

The Board approved the renewal of a Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement and Annual Operating Plan between TMFPD and the City of Reno. The agreement will continue the automatic aid and mutual aid agreement between the two entities through 2019.

 “I want to thank the City of Reno for working with us on this cooperative agreement. This agreement is about working together in the best most efficient way possible to keep our citizens safe,” said Chief Moore.

See the agenda and staff reports from Tuesday’s meeting.

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