Washoe Drive Fire
| Washoe Drive Fire | |
|---|---|
| Date(s) |
|
| Location | Pleasant Valley, Washoe County, Nevada |
| Statistics | |
| Burned area | 3,177 acres (1,286 ha; 12.86 km2) |
| Impacts | |
| Deaths | 1 civilian (smoke inhalation) |
| Non-fatal injuries | 0 |
| Evacuated | Approximately 10,000 |
| Structures destroyed | 29 |
| Ignition | |
| Cause | Human caused from improperly disposed fireplace ashes |
| Motive | Accidental |
The Washoe Drive Fire was a large wildfire that burned near Washoe Lake and Pleasant Valley, Nevada in January 2012. The fire quickly spread, grew to over 3000 acres, and destroyed twenty-eight structures. An elderly woman died from smoke inhalation. The fire was fueled by strong winds, and burned an area from the New Washoe City area to Pleasant Valley. Abnormal warm and dry conditions led to the fire's quick spread, engulfing over twenty homes in hours. Ultimately, the Washoe Drive Fire was declared fully contained on January 21, burning 3,177 acres (1,286 ha).