Authorities have determined that last year's Davis Fire was started accidentally.
The Davis Fire was reported on September 7, 2024, at approximately 2:19 p.m.
The fire originated in Davis Creek Regional Park, about 15 miles south of Reno. Full containment was declared on September 25, 2024. A total of 13 homes and numerous other structures, including a church, were lost. There was no loss of life.
Investigators with the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (TMFPD) and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Bureau of Land Management, Nevada, and the Nevada State Fire Marshal Division, collaborated extensively on the fire investigation.
Based on the scene investigation, extensive interviews, and witness information provided, authorities say it is believed the fire started due to an improperly extinguished campfire or warming fire in the area.
The fire originated in the day use area, where campfires are prohibited under Washoe County Parks regulations. Additionally, the National Weather Service had declared a Red Flag Warning that day.
Fire District Investigators and Sheriff’s Office Detectives have exhausted all leads. Through extensive interviews and Crime Lab Forensic testing, it was determined there was no criminality related to the cause of the fire. The incident is classified as accidental in accordance with NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards.
“I am grateful for the strong working relationship with all our partners that supported a thorough investigation, particularly the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office,” said TMFPD Interim Fire Chief Dale Way. “I also appreciate the members of the public who came forward with tips and information. We remain extraordinarily thankful for the dedicated support of so many agencies, here locally and across the nation, that fought to suppress the Davis Fire.”
(Washoe County Sheriff's Office contributed to this report.)
