Monday, Aug. 17, 2009 | 7:05 p.m.
Bureau of Land Management crews are fighting a wildland fire along the Virgin River in Mesquite.
The fire, which covers about 4.2 acres, was about 10 percent contained as of 6:30 p.m. and didn't appear to be threatening homes, which were as close as 800 feet, BLM spokeswoman Kirsten Cannon said.
The fire was fueled by tamarisk, a non-native species that flourishes along river beds, she said. However, between the fire and homes was an area covered with sand and creosote, a native desert plant.
The fire was reported about 12:30 p.m., but BLM fire crews didn't begin fighting it until 3 p.m., Cannon said. The closest crews were in Logandale, 45 minutes away, she said. Four fire engines and a single-engine air tanker were battling the blaze — about 25 people total.
The fire was believed to be set by a human, but the official cause was under investigation, Cannon said.
By 6:30 p.m., only a small amount of smoke was visible from nearby homes. Cannon said.
BLM crews earlier this year removed some of the tamarisk, which was helping the firefighting efforts, she said.
Jean Reid Norman can be reached at 948-2073 or [email protected].
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