Davis Fire outages knock out Slide Mountain transmitters

The effects of the Davis Fire extended beyond the confines of Washoe Valley as firefighters from around the region responded to the blaze threatening Mount Rose, Galena and Washoe City.

On Monday night, all three major broadcast television stations announced they went off the air after their transmitter towers on Slide Mountain were affected by a power outage affecting slightly more than 3,000 customers due to the wildfire as of Tuesday morning. 

Several broadcasters have transmitters at the top of the mountain that will likely be affected by the outage. The stations’ websites and cable access were unaffected.

A total of 14 structures were reported lost in Monday morning’s National Interagency Coordination Center situation report, which said the fire has cost $2 million to fight so far, with an estimated containment date of Oct. 30.

Truckee Meadows Fire District’s social media reported the fire was at 5,000 acres but without containment, that’s likely to change.

Federal satellite mapping shows hot spots on either side of the Mount Rose Highway. The Calaveras Nevada Alert Wildfire camera showed the fire burning vigorously into early Tuesday morning.

According to the district there were 600 firefighters working to contain the blaze, including 15 hand crews 58 engines and a dozen helicopters. Large tanker aircraft have been dropping fire retardant onto the blaze.

Firefighters appear to have succeeded in keeping the fire from burning across Interstate 580 and Highway 395 A.

Interstate 580 was closed for 18 hours after the fire was first reported around 2:20 p.m. Saturday, not reopening until 10 a.m. Sunday. Highway 395A was still closed on Tuesday morning.

East Fork and Tahoe Douglas fire districts sent units to assist in fighting the fire, which was the subject of an emergency declaration by Gov. Joe Lombardo. Lombardo visited the scene on Monday afternoon.

Tahoe Douglas Fire Engine 21, Engine 25, Brush 25 and the Shoreline Crew are committed to the fire for a total of 23 firefighters, spokeswoman Michelle Turner said.

East Fork Deputy Chief Mike Shockey reported sending Brush 12 and a resource person to help with plans at the incident command.

The fire sent up a smoke plume on Sunday that resulted in at least two calls from Douglas residents who thought the fire was much closer.

On Monday afternoon the plume was easily visible from Minden as the fire continued to burn.

Firefighting helicopters with the Nevada Department of Forestry responded from the Sierra Front base at Minden-Tahoe Airport, along with those from the Nevada National Guard.

As of early Tuesday morning, Truckee Meadows and U.S. Forest Service firefighters reported they’d yet to achieve any meaningful containment.