Evergreen evacuees scattered about, but safe

The 95 residents of Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation Center may return home Monday if given the OK by fire officials, Executive Director Debbie Parziale said Friday afternoon.

"Of course, that could change with the wind," she said.

Residents of the skilled nursing center were evacuated at 5:05 p.m. Thursday along with Western Nevada Community College, University Heights Apartments and residents in Silver Oak subdivision as the Waterfall fire approached.

Of the evacuees, five are home with their families, 27 have been taken to the Mountainview Care Center on Koontz Lane, 27 to Evergreen Gardnerville, 14 to the Carson Convalescent Center on Highway 50 East and 22 to Life Care in Reno.

Parziale said families of the evacuees were notified late Thursday night of the location of the residents.

"All are safe and receiving care at their locations. All except the five were transferred to a skilled nursing facility," Parziale said. "We had no injuries and no hospitalizations.

"We've had managers on scene since Wednesday and we called in extra staff."

The center has been on alert and doing evacuation drills since Wednesday. During the evacuation residents were moved through the command center set up in the ice cream parlor where they were given their medical records and medications before being taken to the nine school buses used for the evacuation.

Those seeking information on a resident's location may call 841-4646 or 883-3622.