Editorial: A burning issue — for real

Thursday, June 6, 2002 | 9:05 a.m.

It doesn't seem right to us that public officials are resigning themselves to the notion that a current problem affecting lives and property cannot be solved for years to come. Yet this is the case regarding fire protection for the residents of lower Kyle Canyon Road, the sloping road north of Las Vegas linking Mount Charleston with U.S. 95. A week ago a home there burned completely before firefighters could reach it from the nearest station 15 miles away. The homeowner escaped without injury and damage was limited to the home. Public officials say the only solution is to wait an unknown number of years for development in the area to become dense enough to justify close-by public services, such as fire protection. With this type of thinking, and with a house fire occurring along the road about once a year, it's just a matter of time before people die or a fire gets out of control, spreading to the desert and causing inestimable damage.

We don't think waiting for several years is the correct answer. This is a known danger and the time to address it is now. The Clark County Commission should take the lead and formally acknowledge the need for an interim solution, one that would serve between now and the time when a fire station could be built. The county should seek advice from the U.S. Forest Service (the homes are within the Toiyabe National Forest) and the state fire marshal's office, agencies well suited for this type of planning. The Lower Kyle Canyon Advisory Board, as well, should be present at all meetings.

The solution might be multi-faceted, such as a few well-placed water storage tanks, road improvements, a slowdown in building permits for houses on the road (growth justifying a closer fire station will undoubtedly come from developments along U.S. 95), strategic placement of light firefighting equipment for volunteers and regular fire inspection of homes.

Planning for this interim solution should begin immediately. We know a problem exits. Let's not wait until it costs a life or until a blazing house sets off a Western wildfire that scorches untold acres of public land.