Temporary Flight Restrictions include the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones. Drones can interfere with wildland fire air traffic. If a drone is spotted near a wildfire, firefighting aircraft must land due to safety concerns. All wildfires are "no drone zones." If you fly, we can't.

New Fire Start on SFNF – Rincon Fire in Pecos Wilderness
June 11, 2021

LAS VEGAS –Despite a Red Flag Warning for low relative humidity and strong winds, firefighters on the 1,380-acre Sandy Valley Fire increased containment to 90 percent. The fire is on BLM and U.S. Forest Service administered lands and full containment is expected June 17.

"Winds up to 35 miles per hour tested containment lines today and they held which makes us optimistic as we head into higher temperatures this week," said Tyler Hecht, BLM Southern Nevada Fire Management Officer. "Because of this, we were able to begin to make firefighters available for other fire assignments."

On average, 74 percent of fires on BLM managed public land in Southern Nevada are human caused. Of human caused fire since 2007, target shooting has caused 27 percent, vehicle fires have caused 22 percent, trash burning has caused 20 percent, campfires have caused 18 percent and arson has caused 13 percent.

BLM law enforcement determined that the cause of the Sandy Valley Fire was target shooting. The fire was reported at 1:34 p.m. June 10 about two miles west of State Route 160 on Sandy Valley Road.

Southern Nevada interagency fire restrictions have been in place since May 24.

For more information about fire restrictions, please visit nevadafireinfo.org.

For fire information, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7526/

LAS VEGAS - Yesterday, firefighters assigned to the 1,380-acre Sandy Valley Fire reached several key milestones. Containment reached 60 percent, Sandy Valley Road and Potosi Pass Road were reopened and precautionary evacuations were lifted for all residents and commercial buildings on Potosi Pass Road.

Today, crews will continue to secure the north and south sides of the fire and continue to mop-up on the west side of the fire. 

A Red Flag Warning is in effect today for low relative humidity and strong winds. “Firefighters made good progress yesterday which is especially important in advance of today’s Red Flag Warning” said Tyler Hecht, BLM Southern Nevada District Fire Management Officer.

The fire is on BLM and U.S. Forest Service administered lands.

BLM law enforcement determined that the cause of the Sandy Valley Fire was target shooting when a round caused a spark that ignited dry vegetation. The fire was reported at 1:34 p.m. June 10 about two miles west of State Route 160 on Sandy Valley Road.

Southern Nevada interagency fire restrictions have been in place since May 24.

For more information about fire restrictions, please visit nevadafireinfo.org.

For fire information, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7526/

LAS VEGAS – The 1,380-acre Sandy Valley Fire is now 60 percent contained. Sandy Valley Road and Potosi Pass Road were opened this afternoon. Precautionary evacuations have been lifted for all residents and commercial buildings on Potosi Pass Road.    

LAS VEGAS – The Sandy Valley Fire has been mapped at 1,381 acres and is currently 40 percent contained. Almost 200 firefighters are suppressing the fire which is burning on BLM and U.S. Forest Service administered lands.

Today, firefighters will use helicopters to shuttle crews up to helispots on the higher portions of the fire to start securing fireline on the east as well as establish access on the north and south sides of the fire. Crews will also continue to secure fireline on the west side of the fire and continue to complete structure assessments in the Potosi Pass area. 

BLM law enforcement has completed their initial investigation and determined that the cause of the Sandy Valley Fire was target shooting when a round caused a spark that ignited dry vegetation. The fire was reported at 1:34 p.m. June 10 about two miles west of State Route 160 on Sandy Valley Road.

Southern Nevada interagency fire restrictions have been in place since May 24.

No injuries have been reported and no structures are in immediate threat. Sandy Valley and Potosi Pass Road are open to residents only. Precautionary evacuations have been recommended to all residents and commercial buildings on Potosi Pass Road. Individual notifications have been made.

Firefighters from BLM, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Nevada Division of Forestry and Clark County are actively suppressing the fire.

For more information about fire restrictions, please visit nevadafireinfo.org.

For fire information, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7526/

LAS VEGAS – The estimated 1,599-acre Sandy Valley Fire is now 40 percent contained. Almost 200 firefighters are suppressing the fire which is burning on BLM and U.S. Forest Service administered lands. It started at 1:34 p.m. yesterday. BLM law enforcement has completed their initial investigation and determined that the cause of the Sandy Valley Fire was target shooting when a round caused a spark that ignited dry vegetation.

Southern Nevada interagency fire restrictions have been in place since May 24.

“We encourage folks to enjoy public land and to do so responsibly,” said Tyler Hecht, BLM Southern Nevada District Fire Management Officer. “If you are target shooting on public land, don’t shoot into rocks or metal objects and place targets in areas free of vegetation. Remember, exploding targets and steel core ammunition are illegal on BLM managed public land in Southern Nevada. Always have water, a shovel and a fire extinguisher ready in case a fire sparks.”

Fire behavior was moderated today and no significant growth was noted. No injuries have been reported and no structures are in immediate threat. Sandy Valley and Potosi Pass Road are open to residents only. Precautionary evacuations have been recommended to all residents and commercial buildings on Potosi Pass Road. Individual notifications have been made.

Firefighters from BLM, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Nevada Division of Forestry and Clark County are actively suppressing the fire.

For more information about fire restrictions, please visit nevadafireinfo.org.

For fire information, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7526/

LAS VEGAS – The Sandy Valley Fire is approximately 700 acres and is burning on BLM and U.S. Forest Service administered lands. It started about two miles west of State Route 160 on Sandy Valley Road at 1:34 p.m. today and is currently zero percent contained. It was human caused and is under investigation.

No injuries have been reported and roads in the area remain open. No structures are in immediate threat and the closest is approximately one and a half miles away. Precautionary evacuations have been recommended to all residents and commercial buildings on Mount Potosi Road. Individual notifications have been made.

Fire behavior is extreme and is burning pinion juniper, grass and brush. Smoke is visible from the Las Vegas Valley and along State Route 160.

Firefighters from BLM, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Nevada Division of Forestry  and Clark County are actively suppressing the fire.

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LAS VEGAS – The Sandy Valley Fire is approximately 1,500 acres and is burning on BLM and U.S. Forest Service administered lands. It started about two miles west of State Route 160 on Sandy Valley Road at 1:34 p.m. yesterday and is currently zero percent contained. It was human caused and is under investigation by BLM law enforcement.

Overnight, firefighters made good progress in the lower elevation on west side of fire. Today, aircraft will continue to use retardant to stop fire to growth to the north in an effort to eliminate impacts to Mt Springs and Potosi Pass Road area.

No injuries have been reported and roads in the area remain open. No structures are in immediate threat and the closest is approximately one and a half miles away. Precautionary evacuations have been recommended to all residents and commercial buildings on Mount Potosi Road. Individual notifications have been made.

Fire behavior is extreme and is burning pinion juniper, grass and brush. Smoke is visible from the Las Vegas Valley and along State Route 160.

Firefighters from BLM, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Nevada Division of Forestry  and Clark County are actively suppressing the fire.

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LAS VEGAS – BLM law enforcement has completed their initial investigation and determined that the cause of the Sandy Valley Fire was target shooting when a round caused a spark that ignited dry vegetation.

The Sandy Valley Fire remains estimated at 1,500 acres and is burning on BLM and U.S. Forest Service administered lands. It started about two miles west of State Route 160 on Sandy Valley Road at 1:34 p.m. yesterday and is currently zero percent contained.

Today, aircraft will continue to use retardant to stop fire to growth to the north in an effort to eliminate impacts to Mt Springs and Potosi Pass Road area. Firefighters on the ground are continuing to create containment.

On May 24, 2021, the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Clark County Fire Department, Mt. Charleston Fire Protection District, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service implemented fire restrictions in Southern Nevada.  

Interagency fire restrictions prohibit:

 •            building and/or using a campfire or charcoal stove (using portable stove using gas,  jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel OK providing it has an on/off switch)

•             welding or operating an acetylene torch with open flames (except by permit)

•             using any explosive (except by permit)

•             using fireworks or firing a tracer

•             operating an off-road vehicle without a spark arrestor

Bureau of Land Management also prohibits steel core ammunition and explosive targets as they are known fire starters. Tannerite, an explosive target, was found near the start of the Sandy Valley Fire but was not ignited.

Firefighters from BLM, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Nevada Division of Forestry and Clark County are actively suppressing the fire.

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