State of Nevada

Executive Department

DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY 
THE BUG AND FRED MOUNTAIN FIRES

WHEREAS, Nevada Revised Statutes, Chapter 414, authorizes the Governor to issue a proclamation declaring a state of emergency when a natural emergency or disaster of major proportions has occurred within this state, and the assistance of state agencies is needed to supplement the efforts and capabilities of political subdivisions to save lives, protect property, and protect the health and safety of persons in this state, particularly through a coordinated response; and

WHEREAS, the State of Nevada is experiencing widespread fire activity, which has been exasperated by dry conditions, high temperatures, and severe winds; and

WHEREAS, there are several active wildfires within the State, resulting in a severe shortage of available wildland fire resources due to the simultaneous response to multiple incidents; and

WHEREAS, on August 10, 2026, Washoe County declared a local emergency, and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony verbally declared a tribal emergency, due to the Bug and Fred Mountain Fires, which have collectively burned over 16,000 acres of land and threaten thousands of homes in Cold Springs, Red Rock, Antelope Valley, and Reno-Sparks Indian Colony - Hungry Valley; and

WHEREAS, over 6,000 people have been evacuated from residential neighborhoods in Washoe County and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony- Hungry Valley, with thousands of additional residents in evacuation warning zones as the evacuation areas continue to expand with sustained wildfire growth; and

WHEREAS, Washoe County and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony have both opened evacuation centers for displaced residents, and Washoe County has opened a large evacuation center for impacted animals; and

WHEREAS, significant critical infrastructure is being impacted by the Bug and Fred Mountain Fires, including schools, power transmission and distribution lines, natural gas lines, a water treatment facility, telecommunications sites, and a local airport; and

WHEREAS, the Nevada Office of Emergency Management has been coordinating with, and supporting, emergency operations in Washoe County, and with the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony - Hungry Valley, as extreme fire conditions continue to impact the region; and

WHEREAS, the Governor has determined that Washoe County and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony- Hungry Valley are experiencing events that require a coordinated response for the health and safety of the public; and

WHEREAS, Article 5, Section 1 of the Nevada Constitution provides: "The supreme executive power of this State, shall be vested in a Chief Magistrate who shall be Governor of the State of Nevada."

NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Nevada, I hereby declare a state of emergency issued on August 10, 2026, to include the following direction:

1. All state agencies shall work through the Nevada Emergency Operations Center to supplement the efforts and capabilities of political subdivisions to save lives, protect property, and protect the health and safety of persons in this state, and

2. The Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security shall work with the Nevada Division of Forestry and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support Washoe County and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, and

3. This state of emergency shall exist until August 17, 2026, unless terminated sooner if conditions improve.

4. The emergency area is defined as the areas impacted by the Bug and Fred Mountain Fires in Washoe County and in the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony - Hungry Valley.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand  
and caused the Great Seal of the State of Nevada to be 
affixed at the State Capitol in Carson City, this 10th day  
of August, in the year two thousand twenty-six.               

Joe Lombardo
Governor

Francisco Aguilar
Secretary of State

Matt Walker
Deputy