Blab News
Bug Fire Near Reno Grows to Over 44,000 Acres, Threatens Cold Springs Community
On the morning of August 11, the Bug Fire—ignited east of Highway 395 and south of Bringman Road in Lassen County—has swollen to a reported 44,304 acres, most of which lie on the Nevada side of the state line. California’s portion accounts for only about 1,500 acres.
The blaze was first reported just before 4:10 p.m. on Saturday, August 8. Initial assessments pegged the fire at roughly 50 acres, but it accelerated rapidly, covering an estimated 800 acres within the first two hours. By 7:10 p.m. that day, the fire was threatening the Cold Springs community in Washoe County, prompting evacuation orders for portions of the county while lifting mandatory evacuations around White Lake. No injuries or structural damage have been reported.
Cal Fire has set containment lines along roughly 4 % of the perimeter to slow further spread. The agency noted that the bulk of the 44,304 acres now belong to the Nevada side, where the Bug Fire has merged with the nearby Fred Mountain Fire. The two incidents are now treated as a single complex, represented by one unified perimeter.
Officials confirmed on Monday that the Bug Fire is believed to be human‑caused, but investigators have not yet determined whether the ignition was intentional. No additional details have been released.
The Bug Fire is part of a broader string of wildfires that have afflicted California and Nevada in 2026. The Fred Mountain Fire, which ignited in late July, has consumed about 1,393 acres north of Reno. Together, the two fires have formed a large, active wildfire complex that has triggered extensive evacuation orders and air‑quality advisories in the region.
Cal Fire and Nevada state agencies are coordinating firefighting efforts. While the fire remains most active in Nevada, Cal Fire continues to monitor the situation on the California side and will update containment status as resources are deployed.
At present, the fire has not caused any reported injuries or structural losses, and the containment percentage remains low. Authorities are closely monitoring weather conditions, fuel moisture, and fire behavior to determine the next steps for containment and evacuation.
The Bug Fire’s rapid expansion and its merger with the Fred Mountain Fire underscore the challenges faced by firefighting agencies in the region. As the situation develops, officials will provide updates on containment progress, evacuation orders, and any changes to the fire’s perimeter.
For now, residents in the affected areas are advised to stay informed through local news outlets and official agency communications. The next update from Cal Fire is expected later in the day, with additional information on containment progress and any potential changes to evacuation orders.
The blaze was first reported just before 4:10 p.m. on Saturday, August 8. Initial assessments pegged the fire at roughly 50 acres, but it accelerated rapidly, covering an estimated 800 acres within the first two hours. By 7:10 p.m. that day, the fire was threatening the Cold Springs community in Washoe County, prompting evacuation orders for portions of the county while lifting mandatory evacuations around White Lake. No injuries or structural damage have been reported.
Cal Fire has set containment lines along roughly 4 % of the perimeter to slow further spread. The agency noted that the bulk of the 44,304 acres now belong to the Nevada side, where the Bug Fire has merged with the nearby Fred Mountain Fire. The two incidents are now treated as a single complex, represented by one unified perimeter.
Officials confirmed on Monday that the Bug Fire is believed to be human‑caused, but investigators have not yet determined whether the ignition was intentional. No additional details have been released.
The Bug Fire is part of a broader string of wildfires that have afflicted California and Nevada in 2026. The Fred Mountain Fire, which ignited in late July, has consumed about 1,393 acres north of Reno. Together, the two fires have formed a large, active wildfire complex that has triggered extensive evacuation orders and air‑quality advisories in the region.
Cal Fire and Nevada state agencies are coordinating firefighting efforts. While the fire remains most active in Nevada, Cal Fire continues to monitor the situation on the California side and will update containment status as resources are deployed.
At present, the fire has not caused any reported injuries or structural losses, and the containment percentage remains low. Authorities are closely monitoring weather conditions, fuel moisture, and fire behavior to determine the next steps for containment and evacuation.
The Bug Fire’s rapid expansion and its merger with the Fred Mountain Fire underscore the challenges faced by firefighting agencies in the region. As the situation develops, officials will provide updates on containment progress, evacuation orders, and any changes to the fire’s perimeter.
For now, residents in the affected areas are advised to stay informed through local news outlets and official agency communications. The next update from Cal Fire is expected later in the day, with additional information on containment progress and any potential changes to evacuation orders.
