The County Manager’s Advisory Council met today, September 1. The following information was shared related to the county’s evacuation preparation:
Washoe County has set up an emergency shelter at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center to accommodate evacuees from Douglas and Washoe Counties. While one hall is open, there are plans to have a total of three separate halls; the first hall accommodates 560 people with cots set 6 feet apart has been opened; the second hall accommodates 750 people, and if needed a third hall will be opened to accommodate an additional 750 people. Generally in a disaster/emergency situation only 1-2% of the population seeks shelter.
All shelters require face masks for the health and safety of persons in the shelters.
Rapid COVID-19 tests are given prior to admission. If a test result is positive, the PCR COVID test will be administered. If it too is positive the evacuees will be provided with a hotel room.
Sites for RVs and sites to accommodate pets are planned.
As of this morning, the flames were 3 miles from the Nevada border in South Lake. The unofficial criteria for the evacuation of Incline Village/Crystal Bay is if the fire reaches Zephyr Cove. While this is unlikely, the agencies also believed it was unlikely the fire would progress to its current location.
The county emergency team is planning for the worst case scenario with hopes of their plans being unnecessary. Local residents should have a prepared GO bag with important papers, medications, cash, and other things they want to take for themselves and their pets. Do not wait until the last minute. The county website to help prepare may be found here. Another site for fire preparedness can be found here.
The North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District website will offer the most up to date information on the fire and the impacts on Incline Village Crystal Bay. The Washoe County Health District website contains links for information on air quality, a smoke and fire map along with other health related information.
There are traffic stops at Sand Harbor and on Mount Rose Highway (SR 431), allowing entrance to local residents and for business purposes only. The intent is to reduce the risk of looting and reduce the number of people in the basin. Law enforcement is supporting this effort.
Thank you to the Red Cross for staffing and assisting with the shelters.