Andrew Fire (2004)
| Andrew Fire | |
|---|---|
| Date |
|
| Location | North of Washoe Lake, Washoe County, Nevada |
| Coordinates | 39°20′46″N 119°44′50″W / 39.346242°N 119.747179°W[1] |
| Statistics | |
| Burned area | 2,744 acres (1,110 ha) |
| Land use | Federal, private[2] |
| Impacts | |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Injuries | 1 civilian[a] |
| Structures destroyed | 6 primary 7 outbuildings |
| Cost | $1.4 million 2004 USD (suppression) |
| Ignition | |
| Cause | Target shooting |
| Motive | Accidental |
| Map | |
  Location within Nevada | |
The Andrew Fire was a wildfire that burned in Pleasant Valley, Washoe County, Nevada. The fire ignited on August 25, 2004 from sparks flying off rocks during target shooting and spread to 2,744 acres (1,110 ha). The fire destroyed six primary structures, seven outbuildings, and twenty-two vehicles, led to one indirect injury, and cost $1.4 million 2004 USD in suppression costs.
Background
[edit source]On August 25, 2004, winds gusted up to 45 miles per hour (72 km/h).[2] On August 26, a weather front moved through the area, which caused strong winds but lowered temperatures.[3] The Andrew Fire primarily burned in flash fuels, ground vegetation that cools off rapidly after heating up. A rapid aerial firefighting response occurred because at the time, there were no other large fires across the Western United States.[4]
Cause
[edit source]Around 12 pm[5] on August 25, 2004, three men travelling from Canada were participating in target shooting activities. One of the men, Armand Otis, shot a .223 caliber: the bullet hit rocks and sparks flew off, igniting the fire. Otis was not charged.[2]
Progression
[edit source]The three men tried extinguishing the Andrew Fire, they eventually called 911[2] at 12:40 pm.[6] Fire crews in Storey County began structure protection efforts in Virginia City Highlands.[5] U.S. Route 395 was closed by 2:30 pm. Evacuations were expanded at 3:40 and 4:15 pm. Fire crews closed Bowers Mansion Regional Park as a command post, U.S. 395 reopened soon after. Around 7 pm, State Route 341 reopened,[6] and some evacuations were lifted.[5] Crews achieved 10% containment that evening.[7] The Andrew Fire grew to 2,693 acres (1,090 ha) that morning. Crews reached 75% containment, and all roads reopened and all evacuations were lifted. 555 firefighters were combatting the fire.[3] A type one incident management team assumed control that evening. The fire reached 100% containment on August 27 at a size of 2,477 acres (1,002 ha).[4] The state of emergency was terminated on August 30.[8]
Effects
[edit source]The Andrew Fire threatened 350 structures.[9] Ultimately, it destroyed six residential structures, seven outbuildings, and twenty-two vehicles.[10] One woman was injured. While evacuating, low visibility due to smoke caused her to collide with a fire engine.[3]
Hundreds of residences[5] and cattle were evacuated.[11] Evacuation centers were located at Galena High School and Virginia City High School.[7] U.S. 395 and State Route 341 were temporarily closed on August 25.[6]
See also
[edit source]Notes
[edit source]- ↑ Indirect injury from a vehicle accident
References
[edit source]- ↑ "Historical Perimeters Combined 2000-2018 GeoMAC". data-nifc.opendata.arcgis.com. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "No charges to be filed in Andrew fire". Record-Courier. August 26, 2004. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Horeis, Karl (August 24, 2004). "Update: Andrew Fire 75 percent contained". Northern Nevada Business Weekly. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- 1 2 Norton, F.T. (August 27, 2004). "Andrew fire fully contained on Friday". Nevada Appeal. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Norton, F.T. (August 25, 2004). "Homes lost, hundreds evacuated in Pleasant Valley wildland fire". Record-Courier. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Timeline - Andrew Fire Day 1". Nevada Appeal. August 25, 2004. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- 1 2 "Andrew fire at a glance - Day 1". Nevada Appeal. August 25, 2004. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- ↑ "BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, WASHOE COUNTY, NEVADA" (PDF). www.washoeocounty.gov. Washoe County. September 14, 2004. p. 3. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- ↑ "16 buildings burn, 350 homes threatened after shooter's ricochet ignites blaze". The Press Democrat. Associated Press. August 24, 2004. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- ↑ "A look back: Worst wildfires in Reno-Tahoe". Reno Gazette-Journal. June 29, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- ↑ Russell, Terri (June 6, 2016). "Firefighters offer tips on avoiding fire while shooting in desert". KOLO-TV. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
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