Brush Fire Expands Near William G. Bennett Airfield Park

Categories: Breaking NewsDisastersNewsSport

Smoke billowing from a brush fire near William G. Bennett Airfield Park in Las Vegas.

News Summary

A brush fire near William G. Bennett Airfield Park in Las Vegas has expanded to over 110 acres, raising safety concerns among residents and RC airplane enthusiasts. The fire, which started northeast of Old Silver Bowl Park, is about 20% contained. Emergency responders, including personnel from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, are actively working to manage the blaze. The fire has drawn attention to safety issues associated with nearby homeless settlements, which may contribute to fire risks. Local residents express frustration over repeated fire incidents in the area.

Las Vegas – A brush fire near William G. Bennett Airfield Park has expanded to at least 110 acres, prompting safety concerns among local residents and radio-controlled (RC) airplane enthusiasts. The fire, which broke out around 3:30 p.m., created thick black smoke visible from various parts of the Las Vegas valley, leading to alarm from nearby communities.

On Tuesday, emergency responders battled the blaze, which originated northeast of Old Silver Bowl Park, located off Weisner Way. By Wednesday, officials reported that the fire had grown significantly and was about 20% contained. Fire suppression efforts included the dispatch of four engines and 16 wildland firefighting personnel from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to the scene.

Randy Dorn, President of the Las Vegas Radio Control Flyers, was on-site for irrigation repairs alongside Clark County officials when he noticed the threatening black smoke. Fortunately, the strong winds directed the flames away from the runway area, allowing airport operations to continue without interruption.

The ongoing fire hazard has raised critical safety concerns, particularly among local RC pilots. Recent discussions within the club have highlighted worries about the presence of homeless settlements adjoining the wetlands, which club members believe contribute to the fire risks. One area affected by previous fires was identified as a space frequently utilized by homeless individuals, who have reportedly left behind debris that complicates the retrieval of lost planes.

This fire marks at least the fourth reported incident at the wetlands this year alone, following similar occurrences in March, April, and early June. Officials have confirmed that this most recent fire was human-caused, although they have yet to identify a specific suspect responsible for igniting the flames.

Residents of the Cadence community have voiced increasing frustration with the rising number of fires near the park. Many have expressed fears regarding safety, particularly in light of the visible flames and ash that have drifted into their neighborhoods. The Las Vegas Metro Police have recently enhanced surveillance in the park through the installation of a motion sensor monitor, a move prompted by minor vandalism incidents over recent months.

As of the latest reports, fire crews are continuing to monitor and extinguish hot spots, with the goal of achieving full containment by the end of the day. The methodical approach aims to lessen the risks of flare-ups and ensure the safety of both wildlife and local residents.

The visibility of large flames and the associated ash falling on residential areas have alarmed community members. Many have called for better management of the wetlands and adequate support for the homeless population in the area, in hopes of reducing fire incidents in the future.

As this latest brush fire incident develops, the focus remains on firefighting efforts and the ongoing discussions regarding safety and management in the wetlands park. Local authorities are faced with the challenge of addressing both the fire hazard and the needs of the homeless population living nearby.