Sierra County Sheriff's Office

08/26/2026

WILDFIRE EVACUATION PREPAREDNESS

Wildfire conditions can change rapidly, and being prepared before an evacuation is ordered can make a significant difference. The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office encourages all residents to take a few minutes now to make sure you and your family are ready.

Sierra County uses the Everbridge Alert System to send emergency notifications, including evacuation warnings and evacuation orders. Make sure you are registered for Everbridge and that your contact information is current. We recommend downloading the Everbridge App and enabling push notifications to make sure you receive alerts in a timely manner.

https://member.everbridge.net/431700047822970/ov

We also use Genasys Protect to identify evacuation zones and provide current information about areas under an Evacuation Warning or Evacuation Order. Know your evacuation zone before an emergency occurs.

https://protect.genasys.com/

For official emergency information, updates, and other county resources, visit the Sierra County website.

https://sierracounty.ca.gov/

Prepare now:

Sign up for Everbridge emergency alerts.

Know your Genasys Protect evacuation zone.

Have a go-bag ready with medications, important documents, clothing, chargers, food, and water.

Have a plan for pets and livestock.

Keep your vehicle fueled and ready to leave.

Identify more than one evacuation route from your home.

During an incident, monitor official Sierra County information and be prepared to leave early.

An Evacuation Warning means there is a potential threat, and you should be prepared to leave. An Evacuation Order means there is an immediate threat, and you should leave the affected area immediately.

Do not wait until a wildfire is at your doorstep to make a plan. Know your zone. Have a plan. Be ready to go.

— Sierra County Sheriff’s Office

08/26/2026

WILDFIRE EVACUATION PREPAREDNESS

Wildfire conditions can change rapidly, and being prepared before an evacuation is ordered can make a significant difference. The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office encourages all residents to take a few minutes now to make sure you and your family are ready.

Sierra County uses the Everbridge Alert System to send emergency notifications, including evacuation warnings and evacuation orders. Make sure you are registered for Everbridge and that your contact information is current. We recommend downloading the Everbridge App and enabling push notifications to make sure you receive alerts in a timely manner.

https://member.everbridge.net/431700047822970/ov

We also use Genasys Protect to identify evacuation zones and provide current information about areas under an Evacuation Warning or Evacuation Order. Know your evacuation zone before an emergency occurs.

https://protect.genasys.com/

For official emergency information, updates, and other county resources, visit the Sierra County website.

https://sierracounty.ca.gov/

Prepare now:

Sign up for Everbridge emergency alerts.

Know your Genasys Protect evacuation zone.

Have a go-bag ready with medications, important documents, clothing, chargers, food, and water.

Have a plan for pets and livestock.

Keep your vehicle fueled and ready to leave.

Identify more than one evacuation route from your home.

During an incident, monitor official Sierra County information and be prepared to leave early.

An Evacuation Warning means there is a potential threat, and you should be prepared to leave. An Evacuation Order means there is an immediate threat, and you should leave the affected area immediately.

Do not wait until a wildfire is at your doorstep to make a plan. Know your zone. Have a plan. Be ready to go.

— Sierra County Sheriff’s Office

08/23/2026

HAWK FIRE UPDATE – August 23, 2026 | 12:30 PM

The Hawk Fire continues to push north toward the Long Valley area of Sierra County. As of 12:30 PM, the fire has not reached Sierra County.

Sierra County Sheriff’s Office deputies are on scene and closely monitoring fire conditions.

Highway 395 remains closed in both directions between the Highway 70/395 junction and Parr Boulevard in Reno.

Additional updates will be provided as conditions change.

08/22/2026

11:00 PM UPDATE: HAWK FIRE

The Hawk Fire has thus far remained south and east of Sierra County and has not crossed into the county. Sierra County deputies remain in the Verdi and Long Valley area monitoring fire conditions.

Highway 395 remains closed: southbound traffic is being held at the Highway 70/395 junction, and northbound traffic is being held at Parr Boulevard in Reno.

We will continue to provide updates as conditions change.

4:35 PM UPDATE: HAWK FIRE

The Hawk Fire has continued to burn to the east and, at this time, has not crossed into Sierra County.

Sierra County Sheriff’s Office deputies are in the Verdi and Long Valley area actively monitoring fire conditions and will remain in the area as conditions warrant.

Evacuation Warnings remain in effect for Sierra County Zones E024 and E061 in the Verdi area. Residents in these zones should remain prepared to evacuate should conditions change.

The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office will continue to monitor the Hawk Fire and provide updates as additional information becomes available.

Please continue to monitor the Genasys Protect evacuation map for the most current evacuation information.

HAWK FIRE

The vegetation fire northeast of Verdi has been named the Hawk Fire.

Due to the fire, Sierra County evacuation zones E024 and E061 have been placed under an EVACUATION WARNING. Zones are located in the Verdi area and Long Valley area of eastern Sierra County.

Residents within these zones should be prepared to evacuate if conditions change.

Please refer to the Genasys Protect evacuation map for current evacuation information and zone details.

The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office will continue to monitor the Hawk Fire and provide updates as needed.

08/22/2026

The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office is aware of a vegetation fire burning northeast of Verdi in Washoe County, near Peavine Peak.

Smoke from the fire is visible from portions of the Sierra Valley. We are monitoring the situation and will provide additional updates as needed.

08/14/2026

SIERRA COUNTY FIRE RESTRICTIONS NOW IN EFFECT

Effective today, Friday, August 14, 2026, the Tahoe National Forest has entered Stage 2 Fire Restrictions due to increasing fire danger.

The Tahoe National Forest’s move to Stage 2 also triggers Sierra County’s seasonal fire restrictions under Sierra County Code Chapter 31.06.

Under Sierra County Code § 31.06.020, outdoor fires are prohibited on private lands and applicable public lands within the unincorporated areas of Sierra County. This includes:

* Campfires and bonfires
* Fire pits and tiki torches
* Portable stoves using an open flame
* Charcoal or wood-fueled barbecues
* Other outdoor open-flame fires

Certain exemptions remain in place under Sierra County Code § 31.06.030, including qualifying propane barbecues, smokers, heating devices, and certain commercial equipment when operated in accordance with the requirements of the ordinance.

These restrictions will remain in effect until the Tahoe Forest Service restrictions are lifted or the Sierra County Board of Supervisors rescinds the County restrictions.

Please use extreme caution with anything that could cause a wildfire. Current conditions are very dry, and firefighting resources throughout the region are actively committed to multiple incidents.

To report a wildfire or emergency, call 911.

08/13/2026

Hwy 70 and Highway 395 are both open now.

*** 08/13/26 10:50 AM ***
⚠️🔥 BUG FIRE 🔥⚠️
US-395 and SR-70 have been reopened.

Please continue to use caution in the area.

08/13/2026

BUG FIRE — MUTUAL AID ASSISTANCE

Today, the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office with evacuations related to increased activity on the Bug Fire near Hallelujah Junction.

Sierra County deputies assisted with evacuation notifications as fire activity increased and threatened areas along the Highway 395 corridor.

08/12/2026

RESCUE AT GOLD LAKE
At approximately 2:30 p.m. today, the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a hiker in distress west of Gold Lake. The hiker had become stranded on the side of a steep rock cliff and was unable to safely climb down or return the way he had come.

California Highway Patrol Air Operations and Nevada County Search and Rescue were requested to assist, while Sierra County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Gold Lake area.

At approximately 4:15 p.m., CHP helicopter H-20, based out of Auburn, arrived on scene. The flight crew located the stranded hiker and successfully conducted a hoist rescue from the cliff. The hiker was flown to the Gold Lake parking area, where Sierra County deputies met him and provided transportation back to his vehicle.

The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the California Highway Patrol Air Operations flight crew and Nevada County Search and Rescue for their quick response and assistance. This was another great example of multiple agencies working together to safely bring someone home.

Nevada County Sheriff's Search & Rescue CHP - Valley Division Air Operations

08/09/2026

BUG FIRE UPDATE – SIERRA COUNTY

Update as of 10:30 PM 8/826: Fire activity on the Bug Fire has moderated in Lassen and Sierra counties; however, the fire continues to actively burn in Washoe County, Nevada.

Fire crews continue suppression efforts, and Sierra County Sheriffs Office continues to monitor the fire and will make additional updates and notifications of any potential impact to Sierra County.

The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor the Bug Fire, burning north of Bordertown near the California/Nevada state line. The fire is currently is burning toward the Peterson Mountain Range.

Current Evacuation Information:

• Sierra County: Evacuation Warning remains in effect for Zone SIE-E025. - East of Highway 395 near Stateline

• Lassen County: Evacuation Order for Zone LAS-671-B and Evacuation Warning for Zone LAS-671-A.

• Washoe County: Evacuation Orders are now in effect for portions of Cold Springs, Canyon Hills, and White Lake.

U.S. Highway 395 is currently closed in both directions near Bordertown due to the fire.

Residents in the affected areas should remain alert and be prepared to evacuate immediately if conditions change or additional orders are issued.

The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office will continue to monitor the fire and provide updates as additional information becomes available. Residents are encouraged to monitor Genasys Protect and Watch Duty for current fire and evacuation information.