20 Homes Destroyed, Hundreds Evacuated In Wind-Whipped Reno Fire

RENO (CBS13) – The state of Nevada has declared a state of emergency as a wind-whipped wildfire continues to devour homes and acreage in Reno forcing thousands to evacuate and shutting down businesses and schools.

More than 20 homes have been destroyed and 400 plus acres blackened by the blaze that was reportedly sparked by a downed power line just after midnight in the Caughlin Ranch area. The fire is now being called the Caughlin Fire.

Fire fighters are battling wind gusts between 50 to 70 miles per hour. CBS13's Nick Janes is reporting live from the fire and is literally being blown around by the wind. Unfortunately, the high winds are forecasted to last throughout the day and possibly even increase this afternoon.

Police in Reno went door to door in the middle of the night telling residents to evacuate. Several people have been injured in the fire, most from smoke inhalation. One person died after having a heart attack while being evacuated from the area.

Chris Good, who works for the City of Reno, tells CBS13 there are 9,500 people under voluntary evacuations. And nearly all the schools in the Washoe County School District are closed.

The current evacuation area encompasses everything southwest of McCarran and S. Virginia Street, and the entire area between Skyline Blvd., S. McCarran and Plumas.

Galena High School is the evacuation point. If that fills up, Damonte Ranch High School will be the next evacuation point.

Air quality readings throughout the valley are elevated throughout the region and residents are being encouraged to stay inside away from the smoke.

Many residents say they were woken up by their neighbors and told to get out. While some residents watched, others picked up shovels and garden hoses and tried to save homes.

Fire officials say the fire, which is burning in some steep canyons and ravines, has broken up into two large sections forcing fire fighters to divide their resources. They don't anticipate being able to fight the blaze from the air because of the winds.

Fire fighters from Northern California are helping battle the fire. The California Emergency Management Agency has sent 50 fire fighters from Grass Valley, Auburn and Nevada City along with five fire truck and one water tender to Reno.

Cal EMA says they will send more if requested.