Yasmina Chavez
The sun sets behind a fire at Mount Charleston Sunday, June 28, 2020. Windy conditions expanded a brush fire at Mount Charleston to 5000 acres by sundown.
Tuesday, June 30, 2020 | 3:16 p.m.
Crews in the air and on the ground continued to extinguish a wildfire near Mount Charleston that’s blanketed about 2,800 acres, which was 10% contained this afternoon, the U.S. Forest Service said.
The blaze, dubbed the Mahogany Fire, was sparked Sunday afternoon and quickly swelled to hundreds of acres, officials said.
Strong winds on the first day complicated firefighters’ efforts, since aircraft able to douse the flames with retardant were grounded until Monday.
As of today, 240 personnel, which includes backup support, were working to “increase containment numbers” while securing a communications site at Angel Peak, the forest service said. Conditions today have allowed for better access for firefighters.
On Monday, “crews created an anchor point at the heel of the Mahogany Fire and began putting in direct handline (fire hoses) on the sides, or flanks, of the fire,” the forest service wrote in a news release. “Aircraft (were) able to successfully support ground resources with retardant and bucket work throughout the day.”
Additionally, an aircraft with infrared technology Monday night mapped the burn area, the forest service said.
State Routes 156 and 157 have reopened, but Route 158, otherwise known as Deer Creek Road, remained closed, the forest service said.
Electricity for Mount Charleston residents had returned Monday night, said NV Energy, which shut down power lines when the fire began.
