Update: As of 9 a.m., Highway 447 has reopened.
Highway 447 between Empire and Nixon is closed because of a wildfire south of Empire. The Tohakum 2 Fire started Tuesday northwest of Pyramid Lake and is reported to have burned 7,000 acres by Wednesday evening. Depending on the direction of the fire, 447 could remain closed for two to 12 hours.
During this closure, participants planning to travel from Gerlach to Reno should postpone their departure. Smoke Creek Road, which has sometimes been used as an alternative, is impassable as a result of recent storm damage. Highway 447 north to Cedarville is open. There are no services between Gerlach and Cedarville.
Participants coming to the event should not proceed on Highway 447 from Interstate 80 and keep an eye on the following sources of up-to-date traffic info:
Burning Man will provide updates via BMIR, IHeartRadio, Facebook and the @BurningMan and @BManTraffic Twitter feeds.
Photo by Wayne Stadler
Any update? We are by Nixon
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As of 11pm Wednesday the road is still closed. We expect to have an update early Thursday morning. Hang in there!
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Thanks for the update. We heard a plane hit some power lines….. can you conform… is this fake news?
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Any update it is 3 am and we are in Reno heading to gerlach.
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Aug 31st – 03:15AM – Road to be expected closed at least until morning
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You can get actual news about the fire here:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5566/
the Sierra Front Fire Management Dispatch center https://twitter.com/mindendispatch?lang=en
447 to Susanville is not a gravel road.
It is the road and the main route taken by people from Seattle and Portland. It can be reached from Reno via 395 to the 299.
Jungle road aka 49, which runs from Winnemucca to Empire is a gravel road and well known for being a two tire road, as in bring two spare tires. Do not take it without multiple spare tires and actual gravel road experience. It is also know for breaking vehicles axles. So neither a valid alternative route or a shortcut.
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447 is now open and traffic is flowing easily.
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@Tittywalk : BLM reports that lightning caused the fire. Power lines in the area are getting damaged due to the heat. There is some concern about the safety of Burning Man. (But, hey, safety third, remember? It’s BURNING man)
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5566/
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Still closed my friends. Apparently I heard it was a lighting strike that started it.
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BLM and Reno news reporting that it was lighting that started this NW of Pyramid Lake. Has grown from 7k to 30k acres today. It seems to be moving east. Not good for folks headed north or south. Also, blm reporting that they can’t respond or contain until 9/6…? https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5566/
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I’m praying for a solid week of downpour rain starting Friday.
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Comment on the twitter feed said 20 hours…
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You can get actual news about the fire here:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5566/
the Sierra Front Fire Management Dispatch center https://twitter.com/mindendispatch?lang=en
447 to Susanville is not a gravel road.
It is the road and the main route taken by people from Seattle and Portland. It can be reached from Reno via 395 to the 299.
Jungle road aka 49, which runs from Winnemucca to Empire is a gravel road and well known for being a two tire road, as in bring two spare tires. Do not take it without multiple spare tires and actual gravel road experience. It is also know for breaking vehicles axles. So neither a valid alternative route or a shortcut.
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5am in Reno on 8/31. Highway closure signs say to use alt route. Anyone know of this said route?
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As dreadful as it sounds to drive more hours:
Drive a few hours from Reno to Cedarville by taking 395-N, then head down main st. 1 1/2 hrs south to Gerlach on 447.
Who knows when Nixon will clear up!
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What is the current condition at highway 446 & 447 intersection at Nixon? Waze app says teo hour drive with no mention of road closure from Nixon to Gerlach however live News channels in Reno say road is closed.
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need real update. it’s morning.
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http://www.nvroads.com/icx/pages/AlertList.aspx
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730am Thurs. 447 Road closed for many hours conditions worsening. Going thru ceaderville, 5+ extra hrs. Damn.
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NHP says the road is now OPEN https://twitter.com/NHPNorthern/status/903272735337365504
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https://twitter.com/bmantraffic/status/903277372807446528
Per the referenced @BmanTraffic twitter feed;
As of 8:30 Pacific Time, 08/31/17 – 447 is open for traffic.
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The software automatically blocks anything with a hyperlink in it.
This would be spam central if it did not.
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I know it is open I see cars flowing in and out on 447 i live in wadsworth
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I have the carwash and I see plenty of playafied rides going by.
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end of day update on the fire? On road closures?
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