Firefighters battle Utah wildfire

Firefighters expect to control today a fire burning through 6,000 acres of dry brush near St. George, Utah.

The flames in the Beaver Mountains, 120 miles northeast of Las Vegas, threatened major power lines running from Salt Lake City through Las Vegas to Los Angeles. More than 200 firefighters from around the West, including Nevada, saved the electrical lines Monday afternoon.

Nevada's own wild lands may face a fiery Fourth of July.

Nevada's fire season starts Wednesday and has "the potential for explosive and rapid spread of wildland fires," state Forester Roy Tenoweth said.

Two wet winters in a row around the state have created a lush crop of grasses and other plants surrounded by dead vegetation and debris from earlier years, Tenoweth said.

"The continued increase of homes in wildland areas coupled with the tremendous amount of dead and dying vegetation is producing conditions for the type of catastrophic wildland fire we all fear," he said.

Tenoweth reminded residents it is illegal to possess or use fireworks in federal, state or local fire protection districts. Fireworks are seized when shipped or mailed into those areas, he said.

Those who touch off wildland fires through the use of fireworks can be criminally prosecuted and can be required to pay the cost of fighting the blazes.

"I urge all who wish to see fireworks on the Fourth of July holiday to take advantage of the public fireworks displays in various communities throughout the state," Tenoweth said.

Those planning to enjoy Nevada's wildlands should check with federal, state or local agencies responsible for the area about required permits or restrictions on activities.

A fire charred about 300 acres of dried brush last week near Mesquite, about 75 northeast of Las Vegas. The Mesquite fire was southeast of the St. George blaze and was not affected by smoke from the Utah fire.

archive