Lightning causes 2 fires at Great Basin National Park

LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) — With tinder-dry grasses creating greater fire risks, Great Basin National Park is working to stop wildfires before they can grow.

Lightning storms on Wednesday caused two fires and another false alarm in the park, which contains some of the oldest living organisms on earth — bristlecone pines.

Great Basin National Park provided these updates Thursday on firefighting efforts:

• The 0.1-acre Mill Creek Fire was reported in the Mill Creek drainage northeast of the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive at 4:33 p.m. on July 17. Three smokejumpers and two engines responded to the blaze, and their efforts contained and controlled the fire this morning.
• The 0.1-acre Pyramid Peak Fire was reported on the flanks of Pyramid Peak at 7:41 p.m. on July 17. Helicopter reconnaissance and size-up of the fire is scheduled this afternoon.
• A report of fire near Lehman Flats at 3:32 p.m. on July 17 was investigated by firefighters, who found no active fire.

Elsewhere in the state, the 173-acre Leach Fire is currently the largest active fire in the state, located in Elko County near the Utah border. No other fires are more than an acre in size, according to the Nevada Wildfire Information Dashboard.

The 17,275-acre Wilder Fire and the 1,100-acre North Creek Fire are both out after starting on the same day, July 7.

The last major fire at Great Basin burned 4,700 acres in 2016, leaving one firefighter dead after he was struck by a falling tree as he fought the blaze.

There are currently no restrictions on public access in the park. Officials asked the public to respect active firefighting efforts and avoid areas where firefighters are working.

“While campfires, barbecues, and wood stoves are currently permitted, please use extreme caution with any sources of ignition, and if you choose to have a fire, be sure it is dead out before going to sleep or leaving your campsite,” a news release advised.

Report smoke or fire by contacting a park ranger or dialing (775) 289-1925.

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