Friday, July 16, 2004 | 10:58 a.m.
CARSON CITY -- Gusty winds and rising temperatures are expected to hamper efforts today to contain a raging 7,200-acre forest fire that has destroyed 14 homes, one business and numerous garages and sheds.
A thousand homes were still threatened this morning, and residents were being ordered to evacuate, Paddy Hardy, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service, said.
The weather forecast for today was for winds with temperatures to rise into the 90s. "That will cause erratic behavior," Hardy said.
Ken Martin, commander of the incident management team, said the fire at times blew over the retardant dropped from the air. He told a briefing of homeowners this morning, "I think we will have a major run today" with winds pushing the flames. "It continues to be a threat."
Martin said that outside Alaska, this fire has top priority for personnel and equipment.
More firefighters were arriving to help the 1,100 on the lines. In addition 13 helicopters and six tankers were dropping fire retardant and water on the flames.
The fire was 30 percent contained, Hardy said. Five firefighters have been injured since the blaze started early Wednesday morning in the mountains above Carson City. Sheriff Ken Furlong says a teen party may be responsible for touching off the blaze, termed the worst in the history of Carson City.
Stacey Giomi, acting fire chief for Carson City, said this was the "worst fire I have ever seen in my 24 years as a firefighter."
The fire burned into the middle of the exclusive Lakeview housing development south of Carson City on Thursday.
"We were able to save the homes," Hardy said. "It was a cross between luck and skill."
The eight homes destroyed Thursday were in the Timberline subdivision high above and north of Carson City. Winds whipped flames into the area and then into Lakeview and Franktown.
Giomi told residents of Lakeview and Timberline who had been evacuated to Carson High School this morning that they would be able to return today to their homes, but they should be ready for another evacuation.
His comment brought applause from the more than 125 people gathered.
But, he warned, "It's a fluid situation and very dangerous." There were still "hot spots" in Lakeview, he said.
While no Lakeview homes were destroyed, he said, some were damaged. He cautioned residents that "embers can sit for days" before they ignite, so they should be aware of the potential danger.
U.S. 395, the link between Carson City and Reno, was closed for several hours Thursday evening. Bumper-to-bumper traffic was routed through Virginia City, requiring several hours to complete the trip, which usually can be done in 30 minutes.
"It was difficult to fathom the totality of the destruction of the fire in what has always been one of Carson City's most scenic areas." Gov. Kenny Guinn said after touring the area.
He said the firefighters have taken "heroic efforts" to save many homes.
Steve Robinson, natural resources adviser to the governor, said the winds died down this morning and temperatures were lower. But the expected winds later today were expected to push the flames north to Washoe Valley.
The fire "cooked up" this morning, Robinson said, "hopping from tree to tree" as the flames headed west toward Lake Tahoe.
The heavy smoke over Carson City prompted health warnings to residents to stay inside if possible and limit their exercise or other strenuous activity.
Longtime Carson City attorney Ted Stokes lost his home of 37 years in Kings Canyon above the city Wednesday. His family, three dogs, a cat and two birds were evacuated and learned late in the afternoon the structure had been destroyed.
"We've done a lot of thinking and a lot of praying about it," Stokes said. "You learn the lesson that all material things pass away."
William and Kimberly Smith, who moved two months ago from Antioch, Calif., into their home at Lakeview, said they "didn't hold a prayer it would be saved." But the Lakeview house was spared, William said, because of "four firefighters from heaven."
"The flames were traveling at 40 miles an hour coming down the hill and it was the most devastating thing I have ever seen in my life," said William, who has been in heavy construction in California.
He said the couple was remodeling the home and the new kitchen cabinets were still sitting in their driveway.
Miles Cunningham, a six-year resident of Lakeview, said, "There was no way it (the home) was going to be saved." But it was.
"I have the most beautiful pine trees in the world," said Cunningham, who has 2 1/2 acres. "I don't care about the home, but I do care for those trees."
Undersheriff Steve Albertson said one person was arrested after running three roadblocks to get into an area where there had been a mandatory evacuation. He said the man wanted to see the damage done to the home of his brother, who lived in Timberline. Donna Brand of the Sierra Nevada Chapter of the Red Cross said 43 people who were evacuated stayed at the shelter at Carson High School last night. One of them was Carson City Manager Linda Ritter, who was evacuated from her home.
Elderly patients from the EverGreen at Mountain View rest home, about a half-mile east of the campus, and residents of the Eagle Valley Children's Home, a facility for the mentally disabled, also were evacuated Thursday.
Brand said mental health counselors were available to talk with those whose homes were lost or damaged. The Red Cross also has clothing and medical supplies available.
Hardy said the fire was contained at the south end of Carson City, where it had already burned. The Casino Fandango in the area was closed Wednesday night as the flames approached and then reopened Thursday morning.
The casino was spared when a backfire was lit in the sagebrush and trees above the club and a helicopter drop was made.
Giomi also said "aggressive" steps would be taken as soon as possible to restore the valuable watershed that was lost. This will include replanting the area.
Western Nevada Community College remained closed today as flames crept near the campus. A wider 100-foot firebreak that was completed about two months ago saved the buildings.
Casinos and restaurants in the area donated food to those who lost their homes or were evacuated.
Guinn praised the public response. "Over the past two days, I have heard countless stories of people who have opened their homes to complete strangers, who have gone above and beyond in making sure their neighbors are safe and out of harm's way."
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