Firefighters continue to battle the Bull Fire that ignited Saturday near Verdi, Nevada. The blaze has scorched 1,529 acres and is now 43% contained, according to the incident command. All mandatory evacuations have been lifted, but officials stress that the fire remains active in heavy fuels and rugged terrain.
Progress and ongoing challenges
Public Information Officer Chris Buckley said, “The fire is still there. There’s still a lot of firefighters fighting it.” More than 200 personnel are on the scene, working to suppress remaining hotspots that could reignite under windy conditions.
Investigators have determined the fire was human‑caused. The first report came from 25‑year‑old Verdi resident Joe Serpa, who spotted a small patch of flame around 11:00 a.m. Saturday while returning from the gym. “It was just a little patch up on the hill, and then that kind of got out of control,” Serpa recalled.
Community response and misinformation
Older residents described the panic that spread through Verdi after the fire was reported. Eighty‑two‑year‑old Bud Mosconi said, “It had everybody in Verdi panicking. We’re getting phone calls from out of state; people wonder if they can help. ‘You want to move in? What’s going on?'” Mosconi added that a social‑media post incorrectly claimed a citywide evacuation, leading to confusion. In reality, only one residence was ever ordered to evacuate, though at one point 3,000 people were placed on a warning status.
Interference from drones and ATVs
Fire crews reported multiple incidents of interference. On Sunday, a drone was observed flying over the burn area despite a temporary flight restriction (TFR) that bars aircraft from the zone. Buckley warned, “Planes can’t even fly in this area right now. And you shouldn’t be flying drones anywhere near a wildfire.” Serpa echoed the concern, noting that helicopters are already working to suppress the fire and do not need to monitor drones.
In another incident, a viewer sent video of an individual riding an ATV into the fire zone, narrowly avoiding an airdrop of fire‑retardant. Mosconi said he has seen ATVs repeatedly enter the restricted area, calling the behavior “terrible” and a danger to both the public and firefighters.
Safety reminders
The forest area adjacent to the Bull Fire remains closed because of the nearby Hawk Fire. Nevertheless, some people continue to venture into the burn scar for a closer look. Buckley urged residents and visitors to stay away, saying, “That’s dangerous for the public, and it’s dangerous for our firefighters. Our crews are up there, so please, please, please stay away from the area.”
Officials continue to monitor wind shifts and fuel conditions. The public is asked to report any suspicious activity, such as unauthorized drone flights or vehicle entry, to local law enforcement. As containment improves, the focus remains on protecting lives, property, and the natural environment while the fire is fully extinguished.
Original reporting: 2news.com — read the source article.
