A fast moving wildfire north of Reno has forced thousands of Washoe County residents to evacuate with their pets since the weekend, and local officials have set up dedicated shelter space for dogs and other animals.

The Bug Fire ignited Saturday afternoon near the California-Nevada border and grew from about 50 acres to more than 15,000 acres by Monday, with containment at just 3 percent.

At the peak of the evacuations, roughly 3,800 households across Cold Springs, Canyon Hills, White Lake, and Silver Knolls were ordered to leave.

Some Cold Springs area orders have since been lifted as containment improves, though officials say the situation can still change quickly.

A small animal shelter operated out of the Evelyn Mount Community Center at 1301 Valley Road in Reno during the height of the evacuations.

That evacuation center is now winding down as orders are lifted, but Washoe County Regional Animal Services continues accepting small animals, including dogs, at its shelter at 2825 Longley Lane in Reno.

Officials say space and resources at area shelters are limited, and they are asking residents who need to evacuate animals to consider a friend or family member’s home first if one is available.

A separate large animal shelter at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center has been housing more than 150 evacuated livestock and other large animals.

Several area hotels are offering evacuees reduced rates while their pets stay elsewhere, since most of those properties do not accept pets in rooms.

The Grand Sierra Resort and Peppermill Reno are both offering discounted stays with resort fees waived and proof of residency, reports KOLO 8 News Now.

No structures have been lost and no injuries have been reported as of Monday. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Nevada dog owners in wildfire prone areas are urged to keep a go bag ready for pets that includes food, water, medications, a leash, and copies of vaccination records.

A collar with current identification tags and an up to date microchip registration can also make a major difference if a dog becomes separated from its family during a fast moving evacuation, a lesson we’ve emphasized before after house fires separated dogs from their families in the Las Vegas Valley.

Residents can track current evacuation zones and shelter information through Washoe County’s live Perimeter Map, and should follow updates from local emergency management before deciding whether to evacuate.

We will continue to report on the Bug Fire and its impact on Nevada pets as conditions change, as it has with the extended heat warning still gripping the Las Vegas Valley this month.