The R-C Morning Report

There are still a few showers passing through as we wrap up what was at most a light sprinkling. The weather today is supposed to be sunny with a high temperature of 54 degrees and low tonight dipping into the 20s. Heavenly Mountain Resort reported an inch of new snow this morning.

There are some road controls in effect this morning, including chains or snow tires required on Highway 88 south from Minden to Kirkwood and Highway 395 south from Walker to Bridgeport. I can't imagine what's going on in the Valley to require snow tires on Highway 88 and not say, Kingsbury Grade, but that's what the Nevada Department of Transportation is reporting on their Web site.

Lack of winter moisture has kept firefighters busy this winter. It's been a long time since we've had a wildfire claim homes in March, as the recent one did in Reno. While it's true a lack of moisture contributed to the fire, one thing I learned on Tuesday is that is only part of the equation. Because sage and pinon are still dormant, they burn more easily. So a dry winter can be worse for wildfires than spring, when the plants come alive and start pumping moisture.