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UPDATE: October Fire caused by illegal campfire

Firefighters are responding to an outside fire at Mary Jane Big Falls in Kyle Canyon
Posted at 4:06 PM, Oct 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-16 22:02:11-04

LATEST: As of 6 p.m. on Oct. 16, the October Fire is holding at 27 acres, according to Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest representatives. 

The fire is 35 percent contained.

SIXTH UPDATE: Fire officials say the October fire is 10 percent contained as of Oct. 16.

The fire increased by two acres overnight and is now at 27 acres. An interagency team of firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, Mt. Charleston Fire Protection District, and Clark County Fire Department will continue to battle the flames. A helicopter assigned to the fire is not being utilized at this time due to high winds.

An investigation revealed that the October Fire was caused by an escaped illegal campfire.

Spring Mountains National Recreation Area Manager Donn Christiansen said that there have been five human-caused fires in the last 30 days. 

“We ask that all visitors help ensure public safety by adhering to our fire restriction that will remain in place through the end of October," said Christiansen. "This means that campfires are only permitted within established fire rings at designated campgrounds and picnic areas.”

FIFTH UPDATE: Reports on Oct. 15 at 5:47 p.m. say that the October Fire has grown to 25 acres, with 70 fire crew members working to suppress it.

FOURTH UPDATE: The October Fire has grown to 15 acres, according to a tweet from the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest around 12:33 p.m. on Oct. 15.

30 firefighters are currently battling the flames. Two 20-person hand crews are en route to provide assistance, along with a helicopter.

THIRD UPDATE: A wildfire rages out control on Mt. Charleston.

Dozens of firefighters are battling the flames, which broke out Friday morning in the Mary Jane Falls area. It’s burning at least three acres.
 
The October Fire, as officials call it, is the third wildfire in the Mount Charleston area in the last week and a half. People who live nearby are worried.
 
“We’re definitely concerned,” said Lynn Thomas, who lives in the area.
 
She has seen a lot of wildfires around Mount Charleston. Each one is unpredictable.
 
“With these winds, you don’t know what’s going to happen,” Thomas said.
 
Mona Orkoulas fears wind could carry the flames dangerously close to her home.
 
“It looks very bad,” Orkoulas said. “I worry that at 2 in the morning the fire could spread due to the winds and it could be in our backyards.”
 
Neighbors believe the flames broke out this morning. A spokesman for the Forest Service told 13 Action News the October Fire is burning in the switchbacks around Mary Jane Falls. The spokesman said the fire is about a mile and a half from homes and is moving away from residential areas.

The Forest Service tells 13 Action News some lost hikers trying to keep warm started one of the recent fires.

“Very worried. This happened too frequently in the past two weeks,” said Stephanie Ibasco, who also lives nearby. “I’m just concerned as to why this keeps happening.”
 
So far, no one is injured. 
 
This cause of the October Fire is under investigation.
 
The spokesman for the Forest Service said crews likely will be fighting the fire for at least the next couple of days.
 
SECOND UPDATE: The Mount Charleston Fire Protection District and the United States Forest Service responded to a reported fire in the Mary Jane Falls area.

Fire size was estimated between 3-4 acres with an 80 percent active fire perimeter. The fire is in the USFS jurisdiction and they have named it the "October Fire." Part of the fire is in the wilderness area. 

These resources total 22 staff that are on the fire. Mary Jane Trail is closed to the public. There are no threats to structures at this time. 

UPDATE: Las Vegas firefighters have been released from this fire. Spring Mountain units now in command.

ORIGINAL STORY:

CLARK COUNTY, Nev. (KTNV) -- Las Vegas firefighters are responding to an outside fire at Mary Jane Big Falls in Kyle Canyon. Crews are assisting other agencies that are already on scene.

It was reported around 1:30 p.m. on Friday. Mary Jane trail has been closed as a result of this fire.

A Red Flag/fire weather warning has been issued for Las Vegas until 9 p.m. on Saturday. Southwest winds may be 15-20 mph with gusts possible up to 40 mph.

13 Action News will post updates as they become available.

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