Bat infestation forces Nevada firehouse to shut down indefinitely

KRNV-DT, CAPT. SCOTT FENLEY, BING, CNN

By Paradise Afshar, CNN

A bat infestation has caused a fire station in Nevada to close for an “undetermined amount of time,” according to a release from the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District.

“Due to an infestation of bats, it has been determined that the station is a health and safety risk to fire crews,” the release said. “Bats have been flying in the living quarters and dead bats have been found in the apparatus bay.”

Fire Station 30, which dates to the 1950s, is located about 20 miles south of Reno, Nevada, and roughly 10 miles north of Carson City. The station is leased to the fire protection district from the state of Nevada.

First responders who work at the station are being relocated to a nearby station as the bat infestation is addressed. The Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District also plans to increase its coordination with the Carson City Fire Department to the south end of Washoe Valley.

“The District will consult with experts to determine what preventative and remediation work is needed to eliminate the bat colonies and associated hazards,” the release said.

This isn’t the first time that the fire district has faced a bat problem.

“The Fire District attempted to remediate the problem in 2015, only to have the bats return,” the release said. “Staff will review possible options including contamination cleanup.”

The fire district also notes that rabies is a concern when it comes to bats, along with other diseases that can be transmitted to humans.

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