Bug Fire expands to over 44,000 acres, evacuations continue in Nevada

The Bug Fire ignited shortly before 4:10 p.m. on Saturday east of Highway 395 and south of Bringman Road in Lassen County, according to Cal Fire. Initial reports indicated about 50 acres burned, but the blaze grew to roughly 800 acres within the first two hours.

By 7:10 p.m. the fire was threatening the Cold Springs community in Washoe County, Nevada, and it continued to spread primarily on the Nevada side, though some acreage burned in Lassen and Sierra counties. Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for parts of Washoe County, while some evacuations around White Lake have been lifted.

Cal Fire updated the fire’s size to at least 44,304 acres as of 6:12 a.m. Tuesday, up from 17,000 acres reported the previous day. Crews have established containment lines around 3% of the perimeter to limit further spread. No injuries or property damage have been reported.

"Officials believe the fire is human-caused, though details on intent have not been released," the agency said.