The Bull Fire north of Verdi, Nevada, was remapped to about 1,275 acres after an earlier figure of 2,500 and was 0% contained on Friday evening, Oct. 2 (Pacific time), according to local reports. KOLO put the new figure at 1,274 acres at 7 p.m.; 2 News Nevada gave 1,275. As of 6:35 p.m., 2 News reported, one resident was in the red “Go Now” evacuation zone and more than 3,300 were in the yellow “Get Ready” zone. No injuries and no cause have been reported.
Why the acreage went down
KOLO attributes the lower number to “new mapping”: “New mapping has reduced the Bull Fire to 1,274 acres.” 2 News says the fire “has been remapped to 1,275 acres after briefly being reported to be 2,500 acres.” Neither says who did the mapping, and we found no agency statement of the figure. Here is KOLO’s timeline (times PDT):
- About 11 a.m.: the fire was reported in a remote area southwest of Peavine Peak.
- 12 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.: an estimated 2 acres, then an estimated 80 to 100 acres.
- 2:30 p.m.: 1,100 acres, with the fire pushing into the Hawk Fire burn scar.
- 4:20 p.m.: 2,500 acres, attributed to Watch Duty.
- 6:15 p.m.: an estimated 2,500 acres and 0% containment, attributed to Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue.
- 7 p.m.: 1,274 acres after new mapping.
The Emergency Washoe release, which shows no time of day, says the fire is “approximately 150 acres.”
Evacuations and smoke
The reports conflict. 2 News wrote that “an evacuation order has been issued for portions of Washoe County” and that “‘Get Set’ evacuation zones have been put in effect West of Somersett Ridge in the Verdi area.” KOLO’s live page said at 2:30 p.m. that an evacuation order covered areas along the southwest side of Peavine Mountain north of Verdi, and at 3:30 p.m. that there was an “immediate evacuation order for the back country.” But KOLO’s 5:30 p.m. update says: “No evacuation orders have been issued. Officials have only issued get-ready warnings.” We cannot reconcile them.
The Emergency Washoe release, also undated, tells residents in a yellow “warning zone” to “be ready and go if your zone turns to red.” We found no status after 6:35 p.m.
Northern Nevada Public Health has issued an Air Quality Advisory for the Reno-Sparks area “until further notice,” 2 News reported. The Air Quality Index is expected to reach the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” to “Unhealthy” range “this evening into tomorrow morning for areas nearest and downwind of the fire.”
Crews and conditions
2 News reported more than 500 firefighters, with seven air tankers and five helicopters working through the day; at dusk three night-flying helicopters replaced them. KOLO’s personnel figures differ by update: more than 250 at 3:30 p.m., at least 200 at 5:30 p.m. and more than 500 at 6:15 p.m.
According to 2 News, crews are prioritizing keeping the fire “north of Verdi and south of Cold Springs,” and “fire activity has moderated, according to a press conference held Friday evening.” Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue says the fire is burning grass and brush at a moderate rate of spread and that “no buildings are immediately impacted,” 2 News reported. KOLO reported at 5:30 p.m. that officials said winds were pushing the flames toward the Hawk Fire burn scar, “which is expected to help slow its spread,” and at 6:15 p.m. that structures, natural gas lines, electrical infrastructure and timber are at risk.
What we do not know
- Cause: 2 News says there is “no immediate word on how the fire started”; KOLO says no information has been released.
- Containment and acreage after Friday evening.
- Whether evacuation orders are in force now, given the conflicting reports above.
- The federal grant: KOLO says funding “has been approved” but names no program or amount.
Check emergencywashoe.com for current zones; its 3:30 p.m. briefing page has no text we could read.