Reno seniors fear fire risk from overgrown lot next to apartments

RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — It's each homeowners' responsibility to clear weeds and debris from their land. But residents in south Reno say they have serious safety concerns about a plot of land they live next to where they live.

The land is located on Old Virginia Road near Damonte Ranch Parkway. The brush is thick with weeds, trees and other debris.

Vintage at the Crossings, advertised as an active senior living apartment complex is next door. Residents say they've been concerned about the fire danger of that lot for about six to seven years, when the apartment building was constructed.

"We're afraid of it because it's an accident waiting to happen," said Jeff Zinman who lives next to the lot.

Branches lean over the apartment fence, grass is thick on the lot and yard and other debris is stacked within the growth. Some of the brush is six to ten feet tall.

"The problem is the overgrown weeds have not been taken care of over the last six years. It's become a fire hazard, without a doubt," said apartment resident Bob Carlson.

Residents' concerns were heightened as the Davis Fire burned and the winds were fanning the fire.

"It was blowing this way, the wind, and when the all the power went out and the lights went out, it was just... we had embers the size of a quarter," said Gary Melancon.

He took photos of the large embers. He said some of them landed in the lot next door but did not catch fire.

"We have roughly 260 people living out here. And I would say 150 are handicapped," Melancon said.

The city of Reno said Code Enforcement staff received complaints and issued two warnings relating to weeds and overgrown vegetation in 2021. The city said the owners came into into compliance each time. The owners just got another city notice on September 11. The city said the owners have until October 17 to come into compliance.

Residents said after one of those complaints, the owners removed one tree that was impeding in a power line but they said no other vegetation was ever cleared.

"Has he done anything in the past? No, no, no, no, no," said Pat Ammann.

Over the phone the owners told News 4-Fox 11 that they plan to clear the brush next to the fence, bordering the apartment complex. The owners said the brush is not a fire hazard because a nearby creek spills irrigation onto the land.

The residents hope this time the city makes the owner clear the brush and haul away the debris.

If you have a property you'd like to report a possible Reno Municipal Code violation relating to property maintenance, property nuisances, click here