Draft:Waterfall Fire

Waterfall Fire
Date(s)
  • July 14 (14-07) -
  • July 20, 2004 (2004-07-20)
  • (6 days)
LocationCarson City, Nevada
Coordinates39°09′11″N 119°48′54″W / 39.153°N 119.815°W / 39.153; -119.815
Statistics
Burned area8,700 acres (3,500 ha; 35 km2)
Impacts
Deaths0
Non-fatal injuries4 firefighters, 1 news reporter
Structures destroyed17 residential, 1 commercial, 23 outbuildings
Damage>$20 million
Ignition
CauseIllegal campfire
Map
Waterfall Fire is located in Nevada
Waterfall Fire
General location of the Waterfall Fire in Nevada

The Waterfall Fire was a fast-moving, destructive wildfire that burned in Carson City, Nevada, in July 2004. After igniting before 3 am on July 14 from an illegal and improperly extinguished campfire, the fire quickly spread and engulfed 17 residential and one commercial building, as well as 23 outbuildings. Several fire engines were damaged, and four firefighters and one KOLO-TV news reporter were injured.

Cause

The Waterfall Fire was reported shortly before 3 AM on July 14, 2004 at 3 acres (1.2 ha) on a ridge, and crews were dispatched minutes after. Crews arrived on the scene in just minutes after the call, but were unable to access the fire. After an investigation completed by July 19, officials determined the fire was started from an illegal campfire that potentially smoldered for days prior. A forest supervisor for Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest stated, "Our efforts right now are to find the people that did this", saying the perpetrator would be liable for damages and face criminal charges.[1][2]

Progression

July 14

The Waterfall Fire was first reported burning in a steep canyon, shortly before 3 AM on July 14. Crews arrived at the scene ten minutes later, but they were unable to access the fire. They assessed it at 3–4 acres (1.2–1.6 ha), burning in heavy timber and crowning. Nearby agencies began responding, and air attack was ordered at 6:50 AM.[1] It was "raging out of control" within hours.[3] A few hours later before 10 AM, reports of a firefighter with a broken leg, and another one that may have broken his back, and water drops were focused around that area. Twenty firefighters now had to be rescued, and it occurred between 10 AM and 12 PM when crews could have gained progress on the fire. A combination of strong downslope winds, warm and dry conditions, and terrain created a firestorm. Flames speedily left the canyon, destroyed fire engines and residential structures.[4]

Around 1 pm, the blaze caught down canyon wind, spreading from the backside of the hill it was burning on to the front; wrapping around to Kings Canyon Road. The combination of downslope winds, high temperatures, and dry fuel coupled with steep terrain subsequently led to the Waterfall Fire rapidly spread outside of the canyon and destroy houses and three fire engines at the end of Kings Canyon Road. The fire then grew north, east, and south, with homes nearly destroyed near C Hill and West Fifth Street.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Neuffer, Scott (July 13, 2024). "First responders recall Waterfall Fire 20 years later". Nevada Appeal. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  2. ^ Anderson, Kayla (July 19, 2004). "Illegal campfire started Waterfall blaze". Tahoe Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on July 22, 2025. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  3. ^ Schrantz, Scott (July 19, 2005). "The Waterfall Fire: Photos From One Year Later". arroundcarson.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2025. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  4. ^ a b Allison, Cathleen (July 11, 2009). "Waterfall fire- 5 years later: 'The tools we had were no match for the enemy'". Nevada Appeal. Archived from the original on July 18, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
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