LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Parts of Lee Canyon Road were closed Thursday along with upper Lee Canyon Road on Friday as fire crews continue to fight the Mahogany Fire near Mount Charleston.
The closures come as many families hope to go up the mountain for the holiday weekend.
UPDATE: Upper Lee Canyon rd. is closed to the public due to ongoing fire operations. Lee Canyon will be CLOSED until this road closure is lifted.
— Lee Canyon (@LeeCanyonLV) July 2, 2020
Once again, thank you Great Basin Team 7 for all your hard work on the #MahoganyFire so far. pic.twitter.com/CM9IUi54N8
Windy and dry conditions have fueled the flames and created a challenge for firefighters, who have the blaze at 64% containment as of Thursday evening.
Mahogany Fire remains 2,794 acres, 64% contained Thursday evening
Crews have been focusing on containing a perimeter and removing brush and trees.
#MahoganyFire Morning Update
— Humboldt Toiyabe NF (@HumboldtToiyabe) July 2, 2020
The fire remains at 2794 acres and 40% containment this morning. Warmer temperatures and lower humidities are expected over the fire today. Click the Inciweb link for a larger view https://t.co/RpGw6f9iWM pic.twitter.com/ImcR7z2jQs
"We have a lot of work left to do with vegetation," says Jeremy Kiesling, the incident commander trainee for Great Basin Team District 7, which is fighting the wildfire that started Sunday. "We have a lot of water sources out here so we're having to use aviation to clean up those hot edges."
MOHAGANY FIRE UPDATE: Fire now 40% contained, black lines show containment, red lines show where fire is not yet contained pic.twitter.com/7HOtFVFdbe
— Marissa Kynaston (@marissaktnv) July 2, 2020
Fire crews are still investigating, but they do believe this may have started with an illegal campfire. Now, they're sending out a warning to anybody who plans to come up for 4th of July weekend.
"Check the ashes and never leave a fire unattended," Kiesling said. "You need to stir it with water and make sure it's totally out."
Lee Canyon Road is closed where it intersects with State Route 158, but crews will continue to reevaluate those closures.
