By Admire Manzamwa
Sept. 18, 2026
FLORISTON, Calif. — A wildfire burning near the California-Nevada border shut down a major interstate Friday as hundreds of firefighters battled the blaze in steep, rugged terrain.
The Floriston Fire, which broke out Wednesday about 9 miles northeast of Truckee, had burned about 640 acres and was only partially contained as of Friday morning, according to Cal Fire and local reports.
Westbound Interstate 80 remained closed at the Nevada state line Friday morning as crews worked to mitigate rockfall danger on the highway, according to Caltrans and Land Line Media. The closure of one of the West’s most important freight and travel corridors has significantly disrupted travel between Reno and Sacramento.
An evacuation order — meaning an immediate threat to life — was in effect for the communities of Floriston and Farad, while several “be ready” evacuation warnings in Washoe County near Verdi and Mogul were lifted Thursday morning, the Reno Gazette Journal reported.
More than 670 personnel were assigned to the fire, including 20 engines, 10 water tenders, two helicopters, eight bulldozers and 12 hand crews, officials said. A Union Pacific fire train carrying 100,000 gallons of water was also supporting operations, and night-flying helicopters worked the fire overnight into Thursday.
Fire officials said the priority was containing the fire’s north side closest to Reno. Firefighters anticipated winds of 6 to 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. Two spot fires north of the main perimeter were held, and officials said the fire remained largely within its established footprint through Thursday.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Dry conditions over the past several weeks have contributed to wildfires across the region, local reports said.
Sources: Reno Gazette Journal; Land Line Media; Cal Fire.