Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Single Incident Information

Zoom to your location
Reset map zoom and position

Could not determine your location.

Broom Canyon Fire

Unit Information

1200 Franklin Way 
Sparks, 
Nevada 
89431 
1200 Franklin Way 
Sparks, 
Nevada 
89431 

Incident Contacts

Erica Hupp
Email: erica.hupp@usda.gov
Phone: 775-771-4777

Highlighted Activity

On Wed., Aug 21, an increase in fire activity on the Broom Canyon Fire produced a large column of smoke highly visible from southern Nevada and western Utah. This fire is burning nine miles east of Duckwater or 60 miles southwest of Ely, Nevada, on Currant Mountain within the Currant Mountain Wilderness. The fire continues to burn in steep, rugged, and inaccessible terrain above 7,000 feet.… Read more
Publication Type: News -

Highlighted Media

Smoke from the Broom Canyon Fire

The Broom Canyon Fire is burning within the Currant Mountain Wilderness on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National's Ely Ranger District. The lightning-caused fire is located nine miles east of Duckwater or 60 miles southwest of Ely, Nevada. It was first reported at approximately 8 p.m. on Monday, July 29.

Basic Information
Current as of Fri, 08/23/2024 - 11:15
Incident Time Zone America/Los_Angeles
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Lightning
Date of Origin
Location Burning on Currant Mountain in the Current Mountain Wilderness, which is nine miles east of Duckwater or 60 miles southwest of Ely, Nevada.
Incident Commander Type 3 Incident Commander Mike Schinstock
Incident Description The Broom Canyon Fire is burning in steep, rugged, and inaccessible terrain above 7,000 Feet on Currant Mountain within the Currant Mountain Wilderness. The Ely Ranger District is managing the fire under a confine and contain strategy. This Lightning-caused fire is currently located in an area where firefighter safety mitigations cannot be achieved therefore fire suppression actions are not being taken at this time. Areas within the planning boundary have been identified for safe opportunities for suppression actions. Firefighters are also improving roads that have been identified as contingency fire lines should the fire move outside the planning boundary to the west.
Coordinates 38° 53' 13'' Latitude
-115° 26'
38
'' Longitude
Current Situation
Total Personnel: 70
Size 4,633 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained 15%
Fuels Involved

The fire is burning in white fir, pinyon pine and juniper, but also leaving lots of unburned vegetation resulting in a mosaic pattern. 

Outlook
Planned Actions

Currently, monitoring the behavior and movement of the fire while fire personnel continue efforts to locate areas where firefighters can engage safely. Firefighters are also improving roads that have been identified as contingency fire lines should the fire move outside the planning boundary to the west.  

Projected Incident Activity

Over the past several days, the fire has remained active on the north, south, and east flanks and is now burning on both sides of the ridge. The forecast for this weekend calls for increased winds which is expected to result in more fire activity and a large smoke column. The fire is burning in white fir, pinyon pine and juniper, but also leaving lots of unburned vegetation resulting in a mosaic pattern. 

Remarks

On Wed., Aug 21, an increase in fire activity on the Broom Canyon Fire produced a large column of smoke highly visible from southern Nevada and western Utah. The forecast for this weekend calls for increased winds which is expected to result in more fire activity and a large smoke column. 

Smoke and fire activity will likely be seen into September and October until the first snow hits the mountain. For updates on air quality, visit: www.fire.airnow.gov.

Current Weather
Weather Concerns

Red Flag Warning in effect on Friday, Aug. 23 for gusty winds and low relative humidity. 

For updated weather for Ely, Nevada, visit: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Ely&state=NV&site=LKN&textField1=39.2475&textField2=-114.888&e=0