Flames from the Gold Ranch Fire spread to roughly 500 acres along the Nevada-California border on Monday, and spectators are creating problems for the firefighters.
The Quilici Fire ignited in Verdi, Nevada, on Sunday after winds caused a car fire on Interstate 80 to spread to nearby brush. The fire has since been renamed the Gold Ranch Fire and has spread to hundreds of acres as 200 personnel from local, state and federal agencies combat the flames.
However, spectators have made the firefighting more difficult for the first responders trying to access the flames.
“Fire fighters and responders need clear access to the #QuiliciFire and are being impeded by spectators. Please avoid the area and give them room to work,” Washoe County said on X (formerly Twitter) just after midnight Eastern time on Monday.
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Photos and videos on social media show cars backed up on Interstate 80 as the flames raged. Eastbound Interstate 80 was temporarily closed because of the fire but is now back open, the Nevada Department of Transportation said.
Starting a #GoldRanchFire thread:
– A car fire spread to brush along Interstate 80 near the NV/CA state line
– I-80 Eastbound is now open after being closed for 9 hrs due to the fire
– Power remains shut off for roughly 6,200 NV Energy customers in the Verdi area @KRNV pic.twitter.com/IrEKQ6FyPH— Madison Macay (@MadisonMacayTV) August 12, 2024
Evacuations have been ordered for residents near Quilici Ranch Road, with an area north of the evacuation site under an evacuation warning.
“Focus is on progress we have made as winds pick up this afternoon. 400 homes are threatened,” the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District posted on Facebook on Monday. “Goal is to hold fire south of Interstate 80, north of Garson Road. Today is a red flag warning day. Please do not participate in any outdoor activities that may spark a fire.”
Newsweek reached out by email to the Truckee Meadows Fire District for comment.
Weather conditions are making it more difficult to fight the fire, and the National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for much of Nevada, signaling critical fire conditions. The red flag warning is expected to remain in place until 8 p.m. local time. Gusty winds and very low humidity are contributing to prime fire conditions.
“The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first responders can contain them,” the red flag warning said. “Avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting, or campfires.”
The fire is also contributing to worsened air quality in parts of Nevada. On Monday, the city of Reno warned that air quality was “unhealthy,” with an air quality index of 165.
“Air quality has been deemed ‘unhealthy’ due to smoke from the Gold Ranch Fire,” the city posted on X. “Avoid strenuous outdoor activities and consider rescheduling them if possible.”