Canyon Residents To Return Home After Wildfire Near Las Vegas, Nevada

    July 30, 2004
    A Mount Charleston wildfire was 70 percent contained Friday, and officials prepared to allow residents to return by the end of the day to canyon homes nearby.
    LAS VEGAS (AP) -- A Mount Charleston wildfire was 70 percent contained Friday, and officials prepared to allow residents to return by the end of the day to canyon homes nearby.

    Firefighters expected to complete fire lines around the 290-acre Robber's Fire, reopen roads and let residents back in late Friday, said Jerry Rohnert, spokesman for a Boise, Idaho-based interagency wildfire management team. Elite ``Hot Shot'' firefighters from around the West planned to pull out on Saturday.

    After peaking at 458 on Wednesday, fewer than 300 firefighters and police were assigned Friday to the fire on the slopes of a steep and rocky 11,000-foot ridge in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, 35 miles northwest of Las Vegas. They were being aided by five water-dropping helicopters and favorable weather conditions.

    No structures burned, but one enclave of 15 homes was evacuated, along with a Girl Scout camp and a youth correctional facility nearby. Many residents in the 350-home Kyle Canyon community left voluntarily.

    Authorities said a truck crash sparked the fire shortly after noon Monday near the Robber's Roost hiking trail on a mountain highway.

    Five firefighters reported minor injuries, and Rohnert put the cost of fighting the blaze at about $911,000.

    Related:

    Voice Your Opinion!

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Firehouse, create an account today!