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Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 4:16 AM

Crews battle fire at railroad tie yard in Hazen

  • 09/08/2022 08:09 AM
Crews battle fire at railroad tie yard in Hazen

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

A large fire broke out late Wednesday afternoon at the railroad tie yard in Hazen, sending flames as 120 feet in the air and noxious black flumes of smoke toward the sky.

According to the Churchill County Sheriff's Office, the fire was reported by multiple callers to 911 at about 4 p.m. The surrounding area was evacuated, and traffic was rerouted as U.S. 50A was closed.

The Fallon/Churchill Volunteer Fire Department was joined by North Lyon Fire, Pyramid Lake Fire and the Bureau of Land Management to fight the blaze,

The railroad ties are treated with creosote, a flammable chemical, which adds to the air quality concerns. Churchill County Sheriff Richard Hickox recommended anyone who has trouble breathing stay inside.

Because the fire was burning so hot, fire crews built buffers around the fire, and an airplane was dropping fire retardant along the railroad tracks.

There was no word Wednesday night about how the fire started, or how long it might take to put it out.

Upload date: 09/08/2022 08:09 AM
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Comment author: Christopher Walsh Comment text: Could you look into the strong recurring smell around Fernley? It smells like sewage and it can be bad enough that people don’t want to be outside or open their windows. It would be helpful to get an investigative journalist help the Fernley residents get a clear answer from the City, NDEP, and any involved facilities. I was really disappointed that the smell was not disclosed by my realtor when I moved here. I enjoy Fernley and am seeing the improvements that are being made. With Appreciation Comment publication date: 9/12/26, 2:49 PM Comment source: Sewage spill near City of Fernley Municipal Well 9 Comment author: Alicia Euresti Comment text: We are all so blessed to have Pastor Matt and Mrs. Regina in this town. They have become a major part of pur family and our children adore them. Thank you both for all you do for qll of us. We love you!!!! Comment publication date: 9/6/26, 9:24 PM Comment source: Fascinating Fernley: Meet Your Neighbors at Living Faith Food Pantry Comment author: R Conley Comment text: Is the deputy receiving any additional training or reinforcing prior training? Comment publication date: 9/5/26, 10:08 AM Comment source: Inmate escapes from Fernley substation Comment author: Kayla Allen Comment text: Suzie was a wonderful woman. I was pleased to call her my "godmother" as she helped me to become a better version of myself. I think about her a lot. Comment publication date: 7/10/26, 8:31 PM Comment source: Susanne Lynn Foster Comment author: Sheena Nash Comment text: After the trivia night is over, I would love for you to print the questions. I grew up in Fernley and would be interested to see how many answers I know. The coin is beautiful. Congrats on 25 years as a city! Comment publication date: 6/22/26, 1:38 PM Comment source: City of Fernley planning 25th anniversary celebration with three days of community events C Comment author: Carl C. Hagen Comment text: Maybe there is more to this story than what is reported, but it seems to me that the businesses that are causing this problem ought to be paying for this, or at least a major portion of it. Why does the County have to pay the whole bill? Just my opinion. Comment publication date: 5/7/26, 10:26 AM Comment source: Storey County, Tesla partner to extend I-80 Patrick on-ramp
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