Wildfire destroys dozens of homes in Reno, Nevada

– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community

PHUKET: A wildfire which broke out near Reno in Nevada this week has destroyed dozens of homes and forced thousands of people to evacuate, officials say. The fire was more than 80 percent contained as of this morning.

The fire broke out in the early hours of Thursday and quickly spread, becoming a three-alarm fire within hours and threatening thousands of homes in the city of Reno. The fire had burned some 2,000 acres (810 hectares) as of late yesterday.

Reno’s Fire Chief said this morning that at least 32 homes have been destroyed in the fire, while at least five others have been damaged.

“It is important to remember that this is nothing short of a miracle,” said Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval. “Four thousand homes were saved by 400 firefighters.”

Nearly 10,000 people were evacuated early Friday morning, but most were allowed to return home yesterday. Sierra Fire Chief Mike Brown said firefighters expect the blaze to be fully controlled by mid-week.

On Friday, officials said one person had died as a result of a heart attack while evacuating the area. Additionally, one firefighter was taken to a local hospital with first- and second-degree burns.

Governor Sandoval previously made a state declaration of emergency which qualifies local governments for federal assistance associated with the fire. “Declaring a state of emergency ensures that every resource from the local, state and federal level is available to assist,” he said on Friday.

— Phuket Gazette Editor