Sierra County Sheriff's Office

09/12/2026

PSPS UPDATE – WESTERN SIERRA COUNTY 9/13/2026

As of 8:30 AM today, all planned Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) for Western Sierra County have been CANCELED.

PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUTOFF (PSPS) UPDATE – 8:45 AM

As of 8:45 AM, PG&E’s planned Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) affecting portions of Western Sierra County is currently ON HOLD.

This does not mean the PSPS has been canceled. PG&E continues to monitor weather and fire conditions, and the shutoff could still occur later today if conditions change.

Residents in potentially affected areas should remain prepared for a possible power outage and continue to monitor for updates.

We will provide additional information as it becomes available.

09/10/2026

PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUTOFF (PSPS) – WESTERN SIERRA COUNTY - SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2026

The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office has been notified of a potential PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) that may affect portions of Western Sierra County beginning Saturday morning, September 12, and continuing through Sunday, September 13.

According to PG&E, downtown Downieville is not expected to be affected by the planned shutoff. However, areas surrounding Downieville, as well as other communities throughout Western Sierra County, may be impacted.

Residents in potentially affected areas should prepare now for the possibility of an extended power outage. Please charge phones and electronic devices, ensure generators and backup power supplies are ready, maintain adequate fuel, and make preparations for medical equipment or other essential devices that depend on electricity.

Eastern Sierra County: At this time, we have not received confirmation of a Liberty Utilities PSPS affecting the Loyalton, Sierra Brooks, or surrounding areas. We are continuing to monitor Liberty Utilities and will provide additional information if conditions change.

PSPS locations and timing can change as weather conditions and forecasts change. Residents should continue monitoring information from their electric utility and the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office.

We will provide updates as additional information becomes available.

09/09/2026

Over the Labor Day weekend, the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an overdue camper who was camping at a very remote lake in western Sierra County.

Due to concerns about possible medical issues and the remote location, the Sheriff’s Office requested mutual aid assistance from Nevada County Search and Rescue and a Care Flight.

Search teams assembled at first light and began searching the area. Fortunately, the overdue camper was located safe and in good condition.

It was later determined that the camping trip had simply been extended by an additional day without family members being notified. While we are very thankful this incident had a positive outcome, it serves as an important reminder: if you decide to extend a backcountry or camping trip, please make every reasonable effort to notify family or friends of the change in your plans.

A simple notification can prevent unnecessary concern and avoid committing significant search-and-rescue resources to what ultimately turns out to be a non-emergency.

The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Nevada County Search and Rescue and Care Flight for their quick response and continued partnership in keeping our communities and backcountry visitors safe.

Nevada County Sheriff's Search & Rescue Care Flight

08/26/2026

WILDFIRE EVACUATION PREPAREDNESS

Wildfire conditions can change rapidly, and being prepared before an evacuation is ordered can make a significant difference. The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office encourages all residents to take a few minutes now to make sure you and your family are ready.

Sierra County uses the Everbridge Alert System to send emergency notifications, including evacuation warnings and evacuation orders. Make sure you are registered for Everbridge and that your contact information is current. We recommend downloading the Everbridge App and enabling push notifications to make sure you receive alerts in a timely manner.

https://member.everbridge.net/431700047822970/ov

We also use Genasys Protect to identify evacuation zones and provide current information about areas under an Evacuation Warning or Evacuation Order. Know your evacuation zone before an emergency occurs.

https://protect.genasys.com/

For official emergency information, updates, and other county resources, visit the Sierra County website.

https://sierracounty.ca.gov/

Prepare now:

Sign up for Everbridge emergency alerts.

Know your Genasys Protect evacuation zone.

Have a go-bag ready with medications, important documents, clothing, chargers, food, and water.

Have a plan for pets and livestock.

Keep your vehicle fueled and ready to leave.

Identify more than one evacuation route from your home.

During an incident, monitor official Sierra County information and be prepared to leave early.

An Evacuation Warning means there is a potential threat, and you should be prepared to leave. An Evacuation Order means there is an immediate threat, and you should leave the affected area immediately.

Do not wait until a wildfire is at your doorstep to make a plan. Know your zone. Have a plan. Be ready to go.

— Sierra County Sheriff’s Office

08/26/2026

WILDFIRE EVACUATION PREPAREDNESS

Wildfire conditions can change rapidly, and being prepared before an evacuation is ordered can make a significant difference. The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office encourages all residents to take a few minutes now to make sure you and your family are ready.

Sierra County uses the Everbridge Alert System to send emergency notifications, including evacuation warnings and evacuation orders. Make sure you are registered for Everbridge and that your contact information is current. We recommend downloading the Everbridge App and enabling push notifications to make sure you receive alerts in a timely manner.

https://member.everbridge.net/431700047822970/ov

We also use Genasys Protect to identify evacuation zones and provide current information about areas under an Evacuation Warning or Evacuation Order. Know your evacuation zone before an emergency occurs.

https://protect.genasys.com/

For official emergency information, updates, and other county resources, visit the Sierra County website.

https://sierracounty.ca.gov/

Prepare now:

Sign up for Everbridge emergency alerts.

Know your Genasys Protect evacuation zone.

Have a go-bag ready with medications, important documents, clothing, chargers, food, and water.

Have a plan for pets and livestock.

Keep your vehicle fueled and ready to leave.

Identify more than one evacuation route from your home.

During an incident, monitor official Sierra County information and be prepared to leave early.

An Evacuation Warning means there is a potential threat, and you should be prepared to leave. An Evacuation Order means there is an immediate threat, and you should leave the affected area immediately.

Do not wait until a wildfire is at your doorstep to make a plan. Know your zone. Have a plan. Be ready to go.

— Sierra County Sheriff’s Office

08/23/2026

HAWK FIRE UPDATE – August 23, 2026 | 12:30 PM

The Hawk Fire continues to push north toward the Long Valley area of Sierra County. As of 12:30 PM, the fire has not reached Sierra County.

Sierra County Sheriff’s Office deputies are on scene and closely monitoring fire conditions.

Highway 395 remains closed in both directions between the Highway 70/395 junction and Parr Boulevard in Reno.

Additional updates will be provided as conditions change.

08/22/2026

11:00 PM UPDATE: HAWK FIRE

The Hawk Fire has thus far remained south and east of Sierra County and has not crossed into the county. Sierra County deputies remain in the Verdi and Long Valley area monitoring fire conditions.

Highway 395 remains closed: southbound traffic is being held at the Highway 70/395 junction, and northbound traffic is being held at Parr Boulevard in Reno.

We will continue to provide updates as conditions change.

4:35 PM UPDATE: HAWK FIRE

The Hawk Fire has continued to burn to the east and, at this time, has not crossed into Sierra County.

Sierra County Sheriff’s Office deputies are in the Verdi and Long Valley area actively monitoring fire conditions and will remain in the area as conditions warrant.

Evacuation Warnings remain in effect for Sierra County Zones E024 and E061 in the Verdi area. Residents in these zones should remain prepared to evacuate should conditions change.

The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office will continue to monitor the Hawk Fire and provide updates as additional information becomes available.

Please continue to monitor the Genasys Protect evacuation map for the most current evacuation information.

HAWK FIRE

The vegetation fire northeast of Verdi has been named the Hawk Fire.

Due to the fire, Sierra County evacuation zones E024 and E061 have been placed under an EVACUATION WARNING. Zones are located in the Verdi area and Long Valley area of eastern Sierra County.

Residents within these zones should be prepared to evacuate if conditions change.

Please refer to the Genasys Protect evacuation map for current evacuation information and zone details.

The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office will continue to monitor the Hawk Fire and provide updates as needed.

08/22/2026

The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office is aware of a vegetation fire burning northeast of Verdi in Washoe County, near Peavine Peak.

Smoke from the fire is visible from portions of the Sierra Valley. We are monitoring the situation and will provide additional updates as needed.

08/14/2026

SIERRA COUNTY FIRE RESTRICTIONS NOW IN EFFECT

Effective today, Friday, August 14, 2026, the Tahoe National Forest has entered Stage 2 Fire Restrictions due to increasing fire danger.

The Tahoe National Forest’s move to Stage 2 also triggers Sierra County’s seasonal fire restrictions under Sierra County Code Chapter 31.06.

Under Sierra County Code § 31.06.020, outdoor fires are prohibited on private lands and applicable public lands within the unincorporated areas of Sierra County. This includes:

* Campfires and bonfires
* Fire pits and tiki torches
* Portable stoves using an open flame
* Charcoal or wood-fueled barbecues
* Other outdoor open-flame fires

Certain exemptions remain in place under Sierra County Code § 31.06.030, including qualifying propane barbecues, smokers, heating devices, and certain commercial equipment when operated in accordance with the requirements of the ordinance.

These restrictions will remain in effect until the Tahoe Forest Service restrictions are lifted or the Sierra County Board of Supervisors rescinds the County restrictions.

Please use extreme caution with anything that could cause a wildfire. Current conditions are very dry, and firefighting resources throughout the region are actively committed to multiple incidents.

To report a wildfire or emergency, call 911.

08/13/2026

Hwy 70 and Highway 395 are both open now.

*** 08/13/26 10:50 AM ***
⚠️🔥 BUG FIRE 🔥⚠️
US-395 and SR-70 have been reopened.

Please continue to use caution in the area.