NV Energy de-energized affected spots near Vecchio Drive on Tuesday as a vegetation fire in Sparks grew to 30 acres and threatened structures. An evacuation order was in effect for the area while crews worked the blaze.
The fire broke out in the area of Geno Martini Pkwy and Garda Ct., putting the utility and firefighters on the same clock. For people in the Vecchio Drive area, the immediate issue was not just the flames but the loss of power in parts of the response zone, a step used to help crews work safely around the fire.
Walt White said, “We’ll be sitting on this all night, but it looks like crews are making good progress,” underscoring the split-screen reality on the scene: the fire was making headway for responders, yet it was still close enough to homes and structures to keep the evacuation order in place.
Fire crews from the Bureau of Land Management and the Sparks Fire Department were on site, and evacuees were told they could go to the Sparks Library. The response had the shape of a long overnight hold, with crews expected to stay with the fire rather than declare the danger over. What remains unresolved is how long the power cutoff will last, and how quickly the evacuation zone can be lifted once the fire is fully under control.
