A vegetation fire in Sparks grew to roughly 30 acres Tuesday, pushing crews into an overnight fight as flames threatened structures in the Vecchio Drive area and NV Energy de-energized affected spots for fire control.
The fire broke out in the area of Geno Martini Pkwy and Garda Ct., and fire crews from the Bureau of Land Management and the Sparks Fire Department were on site as the response built around the edge of the neighborhood. An evacuation order was in effect for the Vecchio Drive area, and people leaving the area could go to the Sparks Library.
The fire was still serious enough to force utility shutoffs even as the response gained ground. Walt White said crews were making good progress, but he also said they would be on it through the night. In a fire like this, that is the difference between containment and a long night of watching heat, wind and dry vegetation all push against the line.
The blaze was described as a vegetation fire, which helps explain how quickly it moved through open ground near Sparks. White also said the area does not have great terrain, adding to the difficulty for crews working around the perimeter. Watch Duty listed the fire at 30 acres currently, but the unresolved question is how long the evacuation order and the de-energized areas will stay in place once the lines hold.
