A wildfire that began near the California-Nevada line over the weekend expanded dramatically and had consumed about 15,000 acres by Monday morning, Cal Fire officials reported, prompting evacuation orders for areas north of Reno.
Rapid growth and cross-border spread
Firefighters first received reports of the blaze Saturday afternoon at approximately 4:10 p.m. near Highway 395 and Bringman Road in Lassen County, roughly seven miles from the state boundary. By late Saturday night, the incident had scorched more than 6,500 acres. Overnight and into Sunday, the fire continued to expand — reaching more than 11,000 acres by Sunday evening and growing to the current estimate of about 15,000 acres as of Monday morning.
The fire, designated the Bug Fire, has crossed into Sierra County, California, and moved northeast into Washoe County, Nevada, north of the city of Reno.
Evacuations and public-safety actions
Authorities issued evacuation orders for areas north of the community of Cold Springs, which lies about 20 miles northwest of Reno, and for neighborhoods north of the Reno Stead Airport. Officials advised residents in affected zones to follow directions from emergency personnel and to consult the regional emergency information portal for the latest evacuation maps and shelter information.
- Evacuation areas: north of Cold Springs; north of Reno Stead Airport
- Containment: around 3% as of Monday morning
- Reported injuries/damage: none reported as of Monday morning
Cal Fire and local agencies urged residents to prepare for possible additional orders and to keep routes clear for emergency responders. The Washoe Regional Emergency Information Center is the primary source for updated evacuation maps for communities in northern Nevada.
Separate fire nearby
A second wildfire, identified as the Fred Mountain Fire, burned an additional estimated 1,300 acres to the northeast of the Bug Fire’s footprint. That blaze prompted further evacuations in nearby areas, compounding concerns for residents and complicating firefighting assignments.
Containment, resources and investigation
Fire managers reported containment of the Bug Fire at about 3%, indicating that crews have limited control over the blaze’s perimeter. Multiple local, state and federal firefighting resources were mobilized to the scene, although incident updates did not provide a detailed inventory of personnel or aircraft assigned.
There were no immediate reports of structural damage or injuries as of the most recent briefings. The origin of the Bug Fire is under investigation by fire authorities; officials have not released a suspected cause.
What residents should know
Residents in the region should monitor official channels for updates, be prepared to evacuate on short notice and follow local guidance on air quality and travel restrictions. Those who live or work near Highway 395 and surrounding rural roads should expect possible closures and increased emergency traffic.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Estimated area burned | 15,000 acres |
| Containment | 3% |
| Secondary fire | Fred Mountain Fire — 1,300 acres |
| Evacuation zones | North of Cold Springs; north of Reno Stead Airport |
Officials asked residents to avoid traveling into the affected areas to allow emergency crews to operate and to prevent delays in response. Motorists in the broader Reno area were advised to expect smoke impacts and changes to visibility, especially downwind of the fire.
Updates and evacuation maps are available through the Washoe Regional Emergency Information Center. Cal Fire and local jurisdictions will provide further situation reports as crews continue suppression activities and investigators examine the fire’s origin.
