Mt. Charleston Weather

The Carpenter 1 wildfire burned over 27,000 acres of land which makes the area prone to heavy runoff when it rains.  The soil got so hot in areas that it has become impermeable to water.

Starting on September 20th, Forest Service crews will cover approximately 400 acres of the burned area with weed-free straw which will be dumped by helicopter.  The process will take place in the areas around the Rainbow subdivision. Officials state that the operation will take about a week and cost around $1.5 million which gets paid by federal emergency funds.

The mulching plan is designed to replace the burned vegetation and will reduce runoff and protect seeds already in the soil. Other plans include cleaning out and improving drainage structures near roads and trails along with an Army Corps of Engineers project designed to divert water away from sensitive areas of Mt. Charleston.

Kyle Canyon will be open to the public on Friday, July 19, at 8 a.m. Fire managers, the Humboldt-Toyiabe National Forest, and law enforcement agencies want to strongly remind the public the weather starting Saturday and continuing Sunday and Monday is for wetter and wetter thunderstorms. This presents the possibility of flash flooding exacerbated by burned areas on steep mountain sides. They are asking the public to keep an eye on the weekend weather and respond accordingly. Heavy rains, seek high ground.

The Forest Closure Order continues for all trails in the fire area. More than 90% of the Spring Mountains NRA was not burned. Trails are open in those areas. Lee Canyon opens to the public Friday at 8 a.m. as well.

Cooperating agencies for the Carpenter 1 Fire met today and discussed concerns about this weekend’s weather forecast. The forecast is calling for an increased chance of rain on Friday, with a 50 percent chance of rain on Saturday and Sunday.

Based on last Friday’s storm, debris flows occurred in Harris Springs, located in lower Kyle Canyon, and flooding occurred on Grand Teton and Buffalo Streets in Las Vegas. Officials may mitigate the risk of potential flash flooding by keeping Kyle Canyon closed to the public until the threat of thunderstorms is reduced.

“We realize that the public is anxious to visit and recreate on Mt. Charleston again, but the safety of our residents and visitors remains our number one priority,” said Rich Harvey, Type 1 Incident Commander for the Carpenter 1 Fire. “Lee Canyon was not affected by the fire, and will likely open to the public on Friday morning at 8 a.m.,” said Harvey.

Source: Incident Management Team

Residents of Trout and Lovell canyons will be allowed to return to their homes after an evacuation from the Mt. Charleston fire starting at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 14, officials announced today.

It has not yet been determined when the residents of Lee and Kyle canyons will be able to return.

Those returning to Trout and Lovell canyons will pass through checkpoints staffed by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Nevada Highway Patrol and other law enforcement officers, American Red Cross representatives, the Clark County Fire Department and volunteers. The returnees will be asked for proof of residency, which can include driver’s licenses or utility bills.

Reentry into these mountain communities is being allowed following the determination by fire unified command that it is safe once again to occupy these areas. Officials have been paving the way for a safe, orderly and efficient return that ensures public health and safety. This includes the restoration of essential public services, the protection of critical infrastructure and the removal and mitigation of potential hazards.

Officials anticipate that 24 hours after reentry to Trout and Lovell canyons by the residents, the checkpoints will removed and there will be full public access.

Source: Incident Management Team

Updated: 07/28/13 19:00

A tree smolders in the Carpenter 1 Fire.

Fire details:

• Total acreage burned: 27,881 or approx. 44 sq. miles
• Percent contained: 95%
• Estimated containment date: 08/18/13
• Total personnel: 73
• Crews: 1
• Injuries: 2
• Structures lost: 6
• Structures threatened: 501
• Cost to date: $19.9 million
• Date of origin: 07/01/13

Equipment in use:

• Engines: 5
• Helicopters: 1

Roads closed:

• All roads are open at this time.

Updates:

• At this point there will be no further updates unless significant activity occurs.

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