UPDATE: Firefighters making 'good progress' on Sandy Valley Fire; 90% contained

UPDATE JUNE 14: Despite a Red Flag Warning for low relative humidity and strong winds, firefighters on the 1,380-acre Sandy Valley Fire increased containment to 90%. The fire is on BLM and U.S. Forest Service administered lands and full containment is expected June 17.

UPDATE JUNE 13: Officials say crews continue to secure the north and south sides of the Sandy Valley Fire and continue to mop up on the west side of the fire.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for low relative humidity and strong winds.

“Firefighters made good progress yesterday which is especially important in advance of today’s Red Flag Warning,” said Tyler Hecht, BLM Southern Nevada District Fire Management Officer.

And despite that Red Flag Warning for low relative humidity and strong winds, firefighters increased containment to 90%. The fire is on BLM and U.S. Forest Service administered lands and full containment is expected June 17.

“Winds up to 35 miles per hour tested containment lines today and they held which makes us optimistic as we head into higher temperatures this week,” said Tyler Hecht, BLM Southern Nevada District Fire Management Officer. “Because of this, we were able to begin to make firefighters available for other fire assignments.”

Officials say on average, 74% of fires on BLM-managed public land in Southern Nevada are human-caused. Of human-caused fires since 2007, target shooting has caused 27%, vehicle fires have caused 22%, trash burning has caused 20% campfires have caused 18% and arson has caused 13%.

UPDATE JUNE 12: The 1,380-acre Sandy Valley Fire is now 60% contained. Sandy Valley Road and Potosi Pass Road were opened this afternoon. Precautionary evacuations have been lifted for all residents and commercial buildings on Potosi Pass Road.

“As we head into hotter temperatures this week, please remember to enjoy your public lands responsibly and abide by fire restrictions,” said Tyler Hecht, Bureau of Land Management Southern Nevada District Fire Management Officer. “If you plan on target shooting, please don’t shoot into rocks or metal objects and place targets in areas free of vegetation. Always have water, a shovel and a fire extinguisher ready in case a fire sparks. Exploding targets and steel core ammunition are illegal on BLM managed public lands in Southern Nevada because they are known fire starters.”

ORIGINAL STORY: The Sandy Valley Fire has been mapped at 1,381 acres and is currently 40% contained.

Almost 200 firefighters are suppressing the fire which is burning on Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service administered lands.

Today, firefighters will use helicopters to shuttle crews up to helispots on the higher portions of the fire to start securing fireline on the east as well as establish access on the north and south sides of the fire. Crews will also continue to secure the fireline on the west side of the fire and continue to complete structure assessments in the Potosi Pass area.

RELATED: Sandy Valley Fire reportedly started by target shooting

BLM law enforcement has completed their initial investigation and determined that the cause of the Sandy Valley Fire was target shooting when a round caused a spark that ignited dry vegetation. The fire was reported at 1:34 p.m. on June 10 about two miles west of State Route 160 on Sandy Valley Road.

Southern Nevada interagency fire restrictions have been in place since May 24.

No injuries have been reported and no structures are in immediate threat. Sandy Valley and Potosi Pass Road are open to residents only. Precautionary evacuations have been recommended to all residents and commercial buildings on Potosi Pass Road. Individual notifications have been made.

Firefighters from BLM, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Nevada Division of Forestry and Clark County are actively suppressing the fire.

ORIGINAL STORY: Sandy Valley Fire southwest of Las Vegas grows to 1,500 acres, human-caused

For more information about fire restrictions, visit nevadafireinfo.org.

For fire information, visit inciweb.nwcg.gov.

Update from the Bureau of Land Management.