Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

911 tape reveals early concern over Nevada burn

Questions are being raised over the initial fire department response to a backyard residential burn that rekindled two days later, destroying two homes in a rural Nevada community and scorching 7,500 acres.

According to a 911-dispatch tape obtained by The Associated Press, a Topaz Ranch Estates resident called emergency personnel Sunday morning, saying his neighbor's permitted burn appeared to be out of control.

The caller reported flames as high as 15 feet amid tinder dry pinion and juniper bushes and that the neighbors were trying to put it out with a garden hose.

Residents say the fire department arrived at the scene and then left.

Gusty winds restarted the fire Tuesday and quickly spread it through thick brush and dry grasses.

Two homes and 17 outbuildings were destroyed.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy