Wildfire burns 44 acres in Red Rock Canyon area

By Jackie Valley

Published Tuesday, July 12, 2011 | 12:33 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, July 12, 2011 | 8:20 p.m.

A wildfire in the Spring Mountains west of the Las Vegas Valley has burned 44 acres but is contained, officials said Tuesday afternoon.

The fire, located about three miles northwest of the Las Vegas Beltway and Summerlin Parkway interchange, was deemed 100 percent contained this morning — meaning firefighters have formed a line around it to prevent its spread. However, the fire broke through the containment, igniting an additional five acres that has not been contained, said Robbie McAboy, the National Conservation Area manager for Red Rock. The fire is still burning and crews will work through the night as they continue to build containment lines to control the blaze.

The blaze, which officials have named the La Madre fire, is within the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It's in a remote area and not threatening any structures, McAboy said.

The fire's intensity increased about 11 a.m. today, so officials called in three single-engine air tankers and one helicopter to deploy water from above, McAboy said. It's normal for wildfires to gain momentum in the daylight hours after dying off slightly overnight, officials said.

Forty firefighters are battling the blaze, and two Nevada Department of Forestry crews are en route to assist, officials said.

Investigators have not determined the cause of the wildfire.