A note from the publishers:
What an absolutely devastating fire year for Reno.
On Aug. 7, we were personally impacted by a Peavine brush fire less than a mile away and directly behind our house. Thankfully, firefighters had it under control fairly quickly.
Three more fires sprung up on its heels: the Bug Fire on Aug. 8, the Fred Fire on Aug. 9, and the Stallion Fire on Aug. 10. Many of our fellow residents experienced horrible pressure and loss from those fires.
On Aug. 22, the Hawk Fire reared its ugly head. Again, our home was directly in the line of fire, along with so many other people’s homes. We evacuated with our dogs and had to stay away for three agonizing days, worrying, not sleeping, on high alert. We were glued to our screens searching Watch Duty, other apps, and social media for the latest news. I wanted to cry.
Through the stress and the sorrow, I was reminded of why I love Reno. This town takes care of its own. People opened their homes, RVs, and other shelters to friends and strangers and their animals. Residents and restaurateurs cooked meals for those impacted and gave them away for free or at reduced costs. I witnessed so many acts of kindness I was brought to tears and felt such a deep gratitude.
A big thank you to our first responders, local business owners, and every single person who offered (and continues to offer) assistance during these tragedies.
The Hawk Fire is still burning and is at 85 percent containment. And fire season isn’t over. Be vigilant, be safe, and please continue to look after and help one another.
— Amanda & Jaci
