Updated

Updated · Reno Gazette Journal · Sep 17

Floriston Fire Burns 600 Acres Near Reno, Closing I-80 and Triggering Evacuations

Updated

Updated · Reno Gazette Journal · Sep 17

Floriston Fire Burns 600 Acres Near Reno, Closing I-80 and Triggering Evacuations

Q: How long will the vital I-80 corridor remain paralyzed by the threat of falling debris?

There is no announced reopening time for westbound I-80, and officials say the closure will last until Caltrans and fire crews determine the corridor is safe from rolling debris. As of Thursday morning, the Floriston Fire had burned 640 acres and was only 5% contained. Cal Fire said the fire made little overnight progress, but the north side toward Reno remains a priority because containment lines are still open or need strengthening. That matters for the highway because down-canyon winds are forecast through Friday, with gusts up to 20 mph, conditions that could keep rocks, burned material or other debris threatening the roadway. CHP-Truckee and Cal Fire have both said westbound I-80 remains closed from the state line through the fire area because of that hazard, and there is still “no estimated time of reopening.” Caltrans plans to assess roadway conditions alongside fire personnel before any decision is made. The best indication is that the shutdown is likely to continue at least through the period of elevated wind concern, meaning Friday is an important threshold, but not a guaranteed reopening point. A separate report from the incident management response said crews may remain on the fire for at least a week, underscoring that transportation impacts could persist even if fire growth stays limited. For now, motorists should plan for continued disruption and monitor CHP, Caltrans QuickMap and Cal Fire updates for any change in the closure.

3 articles · Updated · Reno Gazette Journal · Sep 17

600 acres had burned by Wednesday evening in the Floriston Fire near the Nevada-California line, with containment at 5% after the blaze was first reported shortly after 10 a.m.
20 engines, 10 water tenders, two helicopters, eight dozers and 12 handcrews were deployed, with night-flying Chinook helicopters drawing water from Boca Reservoir to slow overnight spread.
Evacuation orders hit Floriston and Farad in eastern Nevada County, while warnings extended into Sierra and Washoe counties along the Truckee River and I-80 corridor.
Westbound Interstate 80 remained closed, underscoring the fire's threat in the canyon route linking Reno-Sparks, Lake Tahoe and the Sacramento region.
Dry fuels, warmer-than-average conditions and below-normal 2025-26 Sierra snowpack have helped drive a broader run of wildfires across northwestern Nevada and northeastern California.