Fireworks likely cause of 14-acre fire in Huffaker Hills, two others

The Reno Fire Department is expecting a busy weekend as record-setting temperatures hit Reno-Sparks over the next several days.

Crews responded to a 14-acre brushfire in Huffaker Hills in south Reno about 12:30 a.m. Friday. After reaching full containment about 6 a.m., firefighters are mopping up on that fire.

Two other half-acre brushfires also kicked up in Reno last night. No official cause for the fire has been released, but fireworks were the likely cause, the department said.

As far as how things go on July 4 each year, the department said it was a typical night.

"We expect, with this heatwave coming up in the next four to five days, things to be a little bit worse," RFD said in a statement. "Hopefully, people are cautious out there in the world."

Fire agencies have been active in making people aware of the dangers of fireworks.

Adam Mayberry, communications manager at Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue, said, "Overall, it was a good night, considering it was the Fourth of July, and the desire by many community members to use fireworks."

Mayberry said TMFR did a lot of community outreach, letting people know that fireworks are illegal in the county, with penalties up to $1,000 and six months in jail.

TMFR assisted Reno with its 14-acre blaze. It also had a small, quarter-acre fire in Sun Valley, along with a handful of reports of fires that were put out by residents themselves, Mayberry said.

Mayberry said TMFR is on a heightened level on Friday and through the weekend but wouldn't make any projections on possible fires over the weekend.

"It all depends on the decisions that people make because most fires are started by humans," he said.

This article originally appeared on Reno Gazette Journal: Fireworks likely cause of 14-acre fire in Huffaker Hills, two others