KEN RITTER Associated Press writer | Posted: Tuesday, July 4, 2006 12:00 am
LAS VEGAS - An air tanker made an emergency landing in southern Nevada, officials said Monday, as a new wildfire broke out in remote mountains where firefighters are battling blazes that have burned about 38,000 acres of a wildlife refuge.
The single-engine air tanker landed safely late Sunday on a dirt road near the Mesquite airport after losing power on its return from fighting fires near St. George, Utah, said Hillerie Patton, a federal fire information officer in Las Vegas.
The pilot escaped injury, Patton said. He was the only person aboard the plane, owned by New Frontier Aviation in Fort Benton, Mont.
A separate aerial survey was under way Monday to pinpoint the location of a new 300-acre wildfire, one of several burning within 50 miles of Las Vegas in the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. The newest blaze was sparked by lightning Sunday.
Fire officials feared hot, dry winds might return a day after gusts helped a 2,500-acre fire hopscotch across 16,800 acres, Patton said.
"Wind is definitely a factor," said Patton, who said about 110 firefighters, three air tankers and a helicopter were battling the so-called Gass Complex, an uncontrolled group of about six fires in the wildlife refuge about 25 miles north of the Las Vegas Strip.
Flames threatened endangered species habitat in the wildlife refuge that is home to desert bighorn sheep and the desert tortoise. Officials said containment and suppression was helping keep fires out of tortoise habitat in lower elevations, while bighorn sheep were able to flee fires in higher elevations.
"Fire is a natural part of the environment," said Robbie McAboy, a BLM spokeswoman who said there were no reports of animals perishing in fires. "The Desert National Wildlife Refuge is 1.5 million acres. There is more habitat for the animals."
The refuge, established in 1936, covers more than 2,300 square miles, or almost an area the size of Delaware. It is one of the largest blocks of desert bighorn sheep habitat in the Southwest, and the largest national wildlife refuge in the Lower 48 states.
In northern Nevada, firefighters were nearing containment of the nearly 80,000-acre Suzie fire, which closed a 20-mile stretch of Interstate 80 west of Elko early last week, and the 10,400-acre Sneekee fire 35 miles southwest of Elko.
In Arizona, a steady stream of tourists drove into the Grand Canyon's North Rim as a road closure prompted by a 58,600-acre wildfire was lifted. The North Rim and the only paved highway leading to the area was closed last week after the fire jumped the road.
The fire was 70 percent contained and full containment was expected by Tuesday evening. The North Rim is less popular than the South Rim entrance, which wasn't affected by the fire.