9:20 P.M. UPDATE:
The Conner Fire has grown massively in size from its last update. It has now burned 13,901 acres.
The fire was mapped to its updated size using an infrared-equipped helicopter that flew around its perimeter.
The fire is showing extreme wind-driven behavior, spreading quickly and with high intensity.
489 personnel are responding to it, and firefighters will remain on the fire throughout the night.
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8:50 P.M. UPDATE:
The Douglas County Community & Senior Center is closing as an evacuation site for the Conner Fire since no evacuees are currently using it.
The East Fork Fire Protection District made the announcement on its Instagram page this evening.
The agency says it is ready to reopen the evacuation center if needed.
The large animal evacuation site at the Douglas County Fairgrounds remains open.
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
A 2,500-acre fire, dubbed the Conner Fire, is prompting evacuations near the Pine View Estates area, located southeast of Gardnerville.
East Fork Fire says it responded to several homes on fire around 1:30 a.m. with high winds pushing flames into nearby brush, in Carter Springs.
The areas in yellow are under precautionary evacuation warning.
That precautionary warning has recently been expanded to a portion of the Fish Springs area.
Evacuation orders have been issued for residents on the following roads and areas (which you can see also above in the map)
* Old Ranch Road north of Out-R-Way
* Pine Nut Road from Dump Road to Out R Way
* Lola Road
* Edward Road
* Jackson Road
* Bodie Flat area
* Conner Way area
Residents in these areas are urged to evacuate immediately.
Evacuees can go to the Douglas County Community & Senior Center during regular business hours at 1329 Waterloo Lane in Gardnerville.
Large animals can be evacuated to the Douglas County Fairgrounds at 920 Dump Road in Gardnerville. Please enter through the east entrance past the main entrance.
Fire officials are urging residents in the affected area to heed all evacuation warnings. Reverse emergency phone calls are going out to residents.
The Silver Legacy, Eldorado and Circus Circus in Reno are offering emergency room rates for evacuees of $59 per night with waived resort fees. To book a room, call 1-800-223-7277.
East Fork Fire Protection District, Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue, BLM, Reno Fire Department, Carson City Fire Department, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District and Forest Service are assisting.
An aircraft is currently assisting with fire mapping efforts, and additional air resources have been requested to support suppression operations.
Drivers traveling along U.S. 395 are asked to watch out for emergency vehicles.
Officials are also asking the public to avoid the area to ensure the safety of both first responders and the public.
The cause of the initial fire remains under investigation.
Gusty winds, with speeds reaching up to 45 miles per hour, combined with low relative humidity, are creating extremely challenging firefighting conditions, according to a release from the Bureau of Land Management.
Due to these extreme wind conditions, all aircraft have been grounded this afternoon, limiting aerial suppression capabilities.
