Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue sends teams to fight Eaton Fire in LA: What to know

At least two people were killed and tens of thousands have fled their homes as multiple wildfires driven by powerful Santa Ana winds blasted across Los Angeles County on Wednesday, fueling fires that set houses and hillsides ablaze as roadways clogged with residents scrambling to safety.

The fires destroyed more than 1,000 homes, businesses and other structures, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said at a briefing Wednesday. There also were a "high number of significant injuries to residents who did not evacuate, in addition to first responders who were on the fire line," he said.

Marrone said the deaths occurred in the Eaton Fire, which ignited 30 miles inland in Altadena near Pasadena, and quickly grew to more than 3.5 square miles. The fire destroyed homes, a synagogue and a McDonald's restaurant.

The Palisades Fire, which pulverized buildings and had singed nearly 5 square miles, was burning between the beach towns of Santa Monica and Malibu. A third blaze, the Hurst Fire, ignited in Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley northwest of downtown Los Angeles and had burned at least 500 acres, prompting evacuations of some nearby residents.

"We're facing a historic natural disaster. And I think that can't be stated strong enough," said Kevin McGowan, director of emergency management for Los Angeles County.

Here's a look at how the LA fires are affecting Nevada and how the Silver State is helping its western neighbor.

How many people in Nevada are personally affected by the Southern California fires?

From 2020 to 2024, nearly 158,000 people (or 43% of all new Nevada residents) moved from California to Nevada, according to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. The data is based on driver's license surrender rates.

SmartAsset, a personal finance company, said 14,518 Nevada households moved from California in 2024 alone.

This means a large portion of people in Nevada and California have homes, family and friends that expand beyond the state lines.

Eaton Fire: How is Nevada helping California with the blaze?

Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue announced on X that it is sending a strike team, four firefighters, a brush engine and resources from Lake Valley, South Lake Tahoe, Central Lyon County and Fallen Leaf Lake to help battle the Eaton Fire, according to KRNV.

According to the Nevada Division of Forestry, Tahoe Fire Chiefs are providing California with 10 engines and 44 to 50 staff. NDF and the Department of Emergency Management has sent two additional strike teams (22 to 25 personnel), one from Southern Nevada local government and one combined state and local government from NDF.   

NDF said it will continue to coordinate with California to send any available assets.   

Are the LA fires affecting flights?

Nicolle Staten, the spokesperson for the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), told the RGJ on Wednesday morning that the fire has not impacted travel from Reno to Los Angeles.

The Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) announced on X that current weather conditions are affecting flights and encourages travelers to check their flight's status before heading to the airport.

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) told USA Today it does not expect flight operations to be impacted by the fires.

Will Reno see smoke from the fires in Los Angeles?

The National Weather Service in Reno told the RGJ it does not expect Renoites to see smoke from the fires in California because the winds mostly blow from east to west in that area, meaning the smoke is moving away from the Biggest Little City.

What percentage of the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire and Hurst Fire is contained?

Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency as firefighters struggled to control the fires, all listed as 0% contained. Photos from the scenes showed homes engulfed in flames, and thousands of residences were threatened. Much of Los Angeles was enveloped in smoke.

Winds were expected to die down around noon.

"Winds will not die down much until noon on Wednesday around Los Angeles," said meteorologist Ryan Maue on X Wednesday morning. "The worst is yet to come in next few hours with 80-105 mph gusts. This is a hurricane of fire."

How did the California wildfires near Los Angeles start?

Cal Fire has listed the causes of the three primary fires − Palisades, Eaton and Hurst − as "under investigation." But even before the fire started, the National Weather Service had issued its highest alert for extreme fire conditions for much of Los Angeles County. The culprits were low humidity, dry vegetation because of a lack of rain and powerful winds.

The weather service office in Los Angeles warned Monday that wind gusts could reach 100 mph in some areas this week prompt "extreme fire behavior" wherever blazes ignited.

"This is a particularly dangerous situation − in other words, this is about as bad as it gets in terms of fire weather," the weather service office in Los Angeles warned Monday. "Stay aware of your surroundings. Be ready to evacuate, especially if in a high fire risk area. Be careful with fire sources."

Has California historically helped Nevada with wildfires?

Yes, Nevada and California have a long history of helping each other with fires. In 2021, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Nevada's then-Gov. Steve Sisolak toured the damage done by the Tamarack Fire and urged the federal government to provide the state's with aid.

Newsom described the partnership in fighting wildfires as something that unites the West Coast.