Independence Valley Volunteer Fire Department

08/29/2025

⚠️UPDATE: Connection on location, this fire is on Penn Hill and reported at 2 acres.

08/28/2025

🚨TONED WILDLAND FIRE: Approximately 5 miles S of Jarrett Canyon. Independence VFD and Elko County Fire toned out.

08/25/2025

Cottonwood Peak Fire Update
Sunday, August 24, 2025 – 8 p.m.
Eastern Area Complex Incident Management Team
Maris Gabliks, Incident Commander

This will be our last evening update. Our next daily update will be out Monday at 8 a.m.

Size: 132,445 acres,
Bureau of Land Management-79,345 acres
Private Land-50,349 acres
US Forest Service-2,741
Containment: 40%
Location: 3 miles north of Tuscarora, NV on the BLM Nevada Elko District and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Personnel: 1,036
Start Date: Friday, August 15, 2025

Fire Information: (775) 800-7229 (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nvekd-cottonwood-peak
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLMNevada, https://www.facebook.com/HumboldtToiyabeNF
Email: [email protected]

Containment percentage continues rapidly increasing. For the second consecutive operational period containment percentage doubled increasing from 20 percent Saturday evening to 40 percent Sunday evening.

The fire footprint is under the influence of monsoonal moisture increasing relative humidity and precipitation. Wetting rain fell through early Sunday on portions of the fire with scattered showers and storms continuing throughout Sunday afternoon and evening. Additional storms are expected overnight.

There are concerns over strong, gusty outflow winds Sunday night with localized heavy downpours, the possibility of flooding and debris flow in burn scars, and the potential for wet roads to become slick. The potential for lightning strikes pose a threat of new fire starts. Firefighters are prepared for quick initial attack response overnight if needed.

There was minimal fire growth Sunday, and no additional fire spread expected moving forward barring any unexpected weather. The fire continues smoldering in pockets of aspen throughout the fire primarily on the Northeast and Southwest perimeter of the fire.

Firefighters used this opportunity Sunday to join two large sections of containment line from the northeast down around the southeast corner and beyond. They continued mop-up operations (searching for smoldering spots on the ground) along established containment lines. One mop-up focus Sunday was searching through dozer berms to ensure no burning material was hiding. Firefighters will continue this work Sunday night and will also reinforce protection for communities and ranches near the fire.
Nevada Highway 226 is open to local traffic only. Residents and hunters should be aware that there is heavy vehicle traffic, both day and night, from firefighting operations. The Wilson Reservoir, Wild Horse Crossing and Jack Creek campgrounds have all been temporarily closed by their respective agencies.
For information on power outages, visit: www.nvenergy.com
For fire weather, maps, fire cameras, and more, visit: https://nevadafireinfo.org

08/24/2025

08/21/2025

⚠️COTTONWOOD PEAK FIRE UPDATE⚠️

Cottonwood Peak Fire Update
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 – 7:00 p.m.
Eastern Area Complex Incident Management Team
Maris Gabliks, Incident Commander

Size: 106,120 acres, 4% containment
Location: 3 miles north of Tuscarora, NV on the BLM Nevada Elko District and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Personnel: 866
Start Date: Friday, August 15, 2025

Fire Information: (775) 800-7229 (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nvekd-cottonwood-peak
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLMNevada
Email: [email protected]

Current Situation
Hot, dry weather continued Wednesday, though lighter afternoon winds and some smoke shading on the northeast flank created slightly better conditions for firefighting. Additional helicopters, air tankers, heavy equipment, and hand crews are arriving daily, strengthening aggressive suppression efforts.

Structure protection remains a priority along the eastern perimeter, where firefighters are using sprinklers, fire-resistant wrap, and other methods to safeguard ranches and buildings in the Chicken Creek–Jack Creek area. Crews are working around the clock on this section of the fire.

Winds are expected to shift and come out of the northeast overnight into Thursday, pressuring new areas of the fire perimeter. A great number of firefighting resources have been working on that “U” shaped area along the bottom of the fire. The goal of that ongoing effort is to make that southern perimeter as secure as possible.

The fire has begun moving east onto National Forest System lands, transitioning from sagebrush to timber, which requires adjustments in firefighting tactics and staffing.
The weather forecast calls for dry thunderstorms this weekend, raising concerns about gusty winds and possible new fire starts. By Sunday or Monday, conditions may improve with the potential for wetting rain and higher humidity, potentially aiding containment.

The Bureau of Land Management has temporarily closed Wilson Reservoir Campground. The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest has temporarily closed the Wild Horse Crossing and Jack Creek campgrounds. Nevada Highway 226 is open to local traffic only. The Temporary Flight Restriction remains over the area to safeguard firefighting aircraft. All private aircraft, including drones, are prohibited from entering the airspace. If you fly, we can’t.

For information on power outages, visit: www.nvenergy.com
For fire weather, maps, fire cameras, and more, visit: https://nevadafireinfo.org

08/20/2025

⚠️COTTONWOOD PEAK FIRE UPDATE⚠️

08/20/2025

⚠️COTTONWOOD PEAK FIRE UPDATE⚠️

Cottonwood Peak Fire Update
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 – 7:30 p.m.
Eastern Area Complex Incident Management Team
Maris Gabliks, Incident Commander

Size: 64,258 acres, 4% containment
Location: 3 miles north of Tuscarora, NV on the BLM Nevada Elko District
Personnel: 717
Start Date: Friday, August 15, 2025

Fire Information: (775) 800-7229 (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nvekd-cottonwood-peak
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLMNevada
Email: [email protected]

Current Situation

Tuesday’s critical fire weather conditions resulted in extreme fire behavior, presenting a real challenge to firefighting efforts. At times the fire advanced as fast as a mile an hour. The fire is becoming established on the east side of Highway 226 north of Chicken Creek Summit and is approaching National Forest System lands. A major structural protection effort is underway on that section of the fire, where several ranches and a few structures are threatened. There are no reports that any buildings have been lost.

There has been successful line construction and reinforcement on portions of the western and eastern flanks of the fire. Firefighters are hiking into and being flown into the southwest corner to reinforce and extend control efforts in that area.

Elko County, including the Cottonwood Peak Fire, remains under a Red Flag Warning until 10 p.m. Tuesday due to critical fire weather conditions. Extreme fire weather conditions are expected again Wednesday.

There is a ‘round-the-clock, aggressive effort to reinforce and build new containment lines in order to check the advance of the fire. Airtankers, helicopters, and bulldozers are being utilized along with several 20-person hand crews working both day and night shifts. Additional firefighters, engines and heavy equipment continue to pour in to bolster the firefighting force.

The Bureau of Land Management has temporarily closed Wilson Reservoir Campground. The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest has temporarily closed the Wild Horse Crossing and Jack Creek campgrounds. The Nevada Department of Transportation has closed Highway 226 between the intersection with Highway 225 to Maggie Summit Road.

The Temporary Flight Restriction was significantly enlarged Tuesday to ensure the safe use of aircraft and helicopters in fire suppression. All private aircraft – including drones – are prohibited from entering the airspace. If you fly, we can’t.

The forecast calls for a change in wind direction from the North and Northeast Wednesday night. Hot and dry conditions are forecast to persist over the fire area until the weekend, when thunderstorms are possible.

For information on power outages, visit: www.nvenergy.com
For fire weather, maps, fire cameras, and more, visit: https://nevadafireinfo.org

08/19/2025

⚠️COTTONWOOD CREEK FIRE UPDATE ⚠️

08/17/2025

⚠️ The Cottonwood Fire made an incredible run today 15,000 acres in less than 8 hours.

The fire is now over 22,000 acres.

The Ormat geothermal power plant is threatened as well as Jack Creek and other communities in Independence Valley. Communities in the valley are still set to “ready” (ready, set, go)

Crews, Dozers and Engines continue to create control lines.

A Complex Incident Management Team will transition into management of the incident starting tomorrow. Local crews will remain engaged and doing their best to protect lands and commuting Elko County.

08/17/2025

⚠️Cottonwood Peak Fire Update⚠️

🔥 Fire Incident Update: and Cow Creek Fire

The Cottonwood Peak Fire is burning in brush and grass about three miles north of Tuscarora, Nevada. The fire has shown extreme behavior, with wind-driven runs and active flanking, spreading more than 15,000 acres in the past eight hours. Current acreage is at 22,231 acres, 0% Contained.

Current Situation

The fire has reached the perimeter of the Ormat Geothermal Power Plant, where firefighters are actively engaged in protection.

No structure losses have been reported; assessments are ongoing.

Structure protection remains in place for ranches along Highway 226.

Crews are working on direct line construction with support from heavy equipment where terrain allows.

Contingency lines are being scouted to prevent fire spread across Highway 226.

Engines and crews continue to secure the southern flank and push north.

Fire Behavior & Outlook
The fire is expected to continue rapid growth to the northeast toward Chicken Creek Summit, potentially adding 6,000 acres within the next 12 hours. Active burning will likely continue overnight due to poor humidity recovery.

Weather
Hot, dry, and windy conditions will persist over the next several days. Forecasts also call for the potential of dry thunderstorms, which may increase fire spread and create new challenges.

Management
A Complex Incident Management Team has been ordered for the Cottonwood Peak Fire. The team will in-brief with local resources tomorrow and begin shadowing current operations before assuming command.

Additional Fire: Cow Creek Fire

Estimated at 300 acres, located four miles west of Gollaher Mountain near the Nevada–Idaho border.

Resources are on scene. Updates will be provided as they become available.

🔗 For information on power outages: https://www.nvenergy.com
🔗 For fire weather, maps, and cameras: https://nevadafireinfo.org
🔗 Additional updates: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/nvekd-cottonwood-peak
🔗 BLM Nevada Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLMNevada

08/17/2025

⚠️We ask you to stay aware and be ready to evacuate if notified. We will keep updates frequent as we obtain them as well.

Elko County Fire Protection District is asking Independence Valley residents to be ready to evacuate due to the 4,034-acre Cottonwood Peak Fire, according to the agency’s Facebook post at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16.
https://www.kolotv.com/2025/08/17/cottonwood-peak-fire-shows-extreme-growth-potential/