UPDATE ON JULY 10: The fire is now 65 percent contained.
UPDATE ON JULY 9: According to U.S. Forest Service, the fire was 420 acres and 45 percent contained at about 7:15 p.m. Sunday night.
UPDATE ON JULY 8: Around 10:20 a.m. the Clark County Fire Department said via tweet that the Potosi Fire has burned more than 400 acres. Temperatures are expected to reach 115 degrees today as fire crews continue to battle the flames.
UPDATE AT 3:15 P.M.: The Potosi Fire is currently over 350 acres and burning on the west side of Potosi Mountain on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest’s Spring Mountains National Recreation Area near Las Vegas.
Eight smokejumpers, one engine, one helicopter, three air tankers, one very large air tanker (VLAT), and numerous overhead are on the Potosi Fire. Additional resources have been ordered including a Type III Incident Management Team. There are currently no evacuation orders in effect, but the nearby Boy Scouts of America’s Kimball Scout Reservation voluntarily evacuated.
For both the safety of the public and firefighters, U.S. Forest Service officials are asking the public not to drive on any of the Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management roads south of Nevada State Highway 160. The public is also reminded that it is illegal to fly unmanned Aircraft Systems, generally called drones, near or over wildfires. Interference by a drone may stop firefighting operations, endanger life and property, and cause wildfires to become larger and more costly.
UPDATE AT 11:30 A.M.: The Potosi Fire is currently over 200 acres and burning on the west side of Potosi Mountain on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest’s Spring Mountain National Recreation Area near Las Vegas. Local fire crews are currently sizing up the fire, so additional information will be forthcoming.
ORIGINAL STORY
Two fires broke out Thursday on Mount Potosi, which is located about 30 miles southwest of Las Vegas in the Spring Mountains.
The first fire started near Kimball Scout Reservation. Its cause is currently unknown. The second fire is burning near Cottonwood Pass. The US Forest Service believes it was caused by lightning.
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The fire was approximately 15 to 20 acres on Thursday night but has grown much larger overnight. Hot spot crews are currently fighting the blaze. Smoke jumpers are being brought in to help fight the fire.
At this time, no structures are under threat.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
