Evacuation orders expand into Lassen County as wildfires force highway closure
Wildfires in northern Nevada and northeastern California have prompted new evacuation orders in Lassen County and a partial closure of U.S. 395, with the Bug and Stallion fires burning nearly 100,000 acres combined.
Evacuation warnings and orders were broadened on Wednesday to include several zones in Lassen County, while a segment of U.S. 395 between the Nevada-California border and Constantia was shut down as the Bug Fire threatened to cross the highway. The Lassen County Sheriff’s Office posted evacuation orders for zones LAS-451, LAS-453, LAS-671-A and LAS-671-B, and warnings for zones LAS-445 and LAS-669.
The Bug Fire, now listed at about 70,765 acres, and the Stallion Fire, at roughly 33,730 acres, remain uncontained. Crews are constructing control lines on the western flank of the Bug Fire and reinforcing lines near state routes 446 and 447 to protect the community of Nixon. The Stallion Fire’s growth has slowed, with fire lines established along its eastern edge.
More than 5,000 residents remain evacuated, and officials continue to assess damage to homes and structures. NV Energy is working to restore power, having re-energized service for about 240 customers in the Nixon area, while outages persist in Red Rock, Antelope Valley and Palomino Valley.
Road closures include Red Rock Road, Lemmon Drive to Ramsey Way, and State Route 445 between Axe Handle Canyon Road and SR 446. Access on State Route 446 is limited to local residents between Sutcliffe and Nixon.
Authorities urged residents in Washoe County to check the Perimeter Map for the latest evacuation zones and to assist neighbors who may need help evacuating. The Evelyn Mount Community Center in Reno serves as the official evacuation shelter, with animal shelters operating at designated county facilities.
FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant for the Stallion Fire, providing up to 75% of eligible firefighting costs. The grant follows Nevada’s request after the fire threatened roughly 700 homes and prompted mandatory evacuations for about 2,600 people.
Fire officials held briefings throughout the day, emphasizing coordinated air and ground operations, the use of large air tankers, water-dropping helicopters, and ground crews to protect communities and strengthen control lines. Weather forecasts called for high temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds, with thunderstorms expected later in the week that could produce sudden outflow winds and lightning.
Residents were reminded to monitor air-quality alerts and stay indoors if sensitive to smoke, while the incident management team scheduled a community meeting at O’Brien Middle School for further updates.