Carson County, Nevada & the Dangerous Frontier
Carson County encompasses 2,400 square miles of Nevada high desert, from Sierra Nevada foothills to alkali basins. Pre-outbreak population: 43,000 scattered across mining towns, ranches, and the county seat. The isolation that initially protected some communities now makes communication and resupply nearly impossible. Every journey beyond Obsidian Hills is a calculated risk that could mean the difference between survival and disaster.
The high desert environment of Nevada has proven both blessing and curse in the post-outbreak world. The low population density means fewer infected, but it also means resources, fuel, and supplies are scattered across vast distances. Water sources are precious and heavily contested. The extreme temperatures create natural barriers to infected movement during the day, but the clear desert nights carry sound for miles, potentially attracting threats from great distances.
Every location beyond the sanctuary represents a difficult choice: risk lives for potentially vital resources, or remain safe but slowly starve. The ranches may have cattle and equipment, but they might be defended by desperate survivors or overrun by infected. The truck stops have fuel, but raiders may have claimed them. Each expedition must be carefully planned, well-armed, and prepared for the possibility that they may find either salvation or death.
Established 2013 to supply Obsidian Hills' farm-to-table rebrand. Three climate-controlled greenhouses, hydroponic systems, heritage chickens. Young couple from California running sustainable desert agriculture operation.
Greenhouses visible from fire tower, appear intact. No movement observed. Owners (California couple) fate unknown - property could be abandoned, occupied, or compromised. 5-year exclusive contract with park meant total economic dependence.
3 climate-controlled greenhouses, hydroponic equipment, seed stocks, 50-100 heritage chickens, solar panels (2015), rainwater collection, composting system, irrigation infrastructure.
Unknown Risk Critical Food Production
1940s ranch house with outbuildings and working well. Solar panel installation suggests modern upgrades for off-grid living.
Empty but intact. No signs of violence or hasty departure. Previous occupants' fate unknown - may have left before outbreak, evacuated orderly, or simply vanished. Structure appears safe to investigate.
Hand-pump well with good water, root cellar for storage, functional solar panel system, outbuildings for workshop space.
Low Risk High Value
Martinez family cattle operation spanning 2,000 acres. Family of 6 plus 2 ranch hands. Large herd, modern equipment.
Smoke observed from ranch buildings on Day 15. No radio contact since outbreak. Martinez family fate unknown - could be alive, dead, or fled. Property status completely uncertain.
200 head of cattle, horses for transportation, solar power array, multiple wells, ranch equipment, vehicles.
Unknown Risk Extremely High Value
Highway fuel stop with convenience store and garage at Highway 50 junction. Strategic location for controlling east-west traffic.
Heavily barricaded with clear defensive positions. Signs of organized activity. Unknown occupants - could be original staff, travelers, raiders, or military. Approach would be extremely dangerous without identification.
Underground fuel tanks (8,000 gal diesel, 6,000 gal gasoline), convenience store supplies, CB radio base station.
High Risk Critical Value
Fire lookout station with 4-man crew on elevated terrain. Radio relay station for forest service communications.
Tower appears abandoned, no radio response. Four-man crew's fate unknown - could have evacuated, joined other groups, or met worse fate. Equipment may still be present.
High elevation command position, radio equipment, 4WD vehicles, commanding view of entire region for surveillance.
Medium Risk High Value
Community of 120 retirees living in 80 mobile homes with shared community center and central well system.
Day 8 radio contact: "some got out, heading for hills." Southern section appears compromised. Fate of 120 retirees unknown - some fled, some may be trapped, many likely dead. Extreme caution advised.
Backup generators, RVs for mobile shelter, community well, retired nurse with medical supplies and knowledge.
High Risk Medium Value
Large 5,000-acre cattle ranch with 15 employees plus ranch family. Well-armed personnel including military veterans.
Last radio contact Day 12: "holding position, staying put." Complete silence since. Ranch family and 15 employees' fate unknown. Could be fortified, overrun, or abandoned. No way to know without reconnaissance.
800 head of cattle, heavy ranch equipment, fuel storage, highly defensible position with single access road.
Unknown Risk Extremely High Value
Active open-pit copper mining operation employing 45 workers. 24-hour operations with night shift. Heavy equipment, explosives storage, and on-site processing facility. Company housing for 12 supervisory staff.
Abandoned vehicles at base of 8-mile access road. Mine status unknown - equipment may be intact, workers' fate uncertain. Could be deserted, occupied by survivors, or worse. Explosives storage particularly concerning.
Heavy mining equipment (excavators, haulers), diesel fuel depot, explosives magazine, copper stockpiles, industrial generators, machine shop, elevated defensive position.
Unknown Risk Industrial Assets