The U.S. Forest Service has announced that Mt. Charleston in Las Vegas has caught wildfire that has reached about 400 acres on Sunday evening. According to the Clark County Fire Department, the flare was dubbed the "Mahogany Fire."
Officials said it started off as a 10-acre bush blaze near Deer Creek roads and Archery Range at around 2:41 P.M. However, by 3:10 P.M., the fire had traveled southwest and had increased to over 200 acres.
Shortly before 5:30 P.M., the Toiyabe National Forest tweeted that the Mahogany Fire in Las Vegas reached 400 acres. Furthermore, the Spring Mountain Youth Camp at 2400 Angel Peak Place has been evacuated. As of 4 P.M., no other areas have reported evacuation, but the department says circumstances could change depending on the wind.
On Sunday, strong gusts of wind that came with the blaze were recorded at about 40 mph at McCarran International Airport. The National Weather Service has then issued a 12-hour wind advisory starting Sunday morning at 11 A.M.
According to the fire department, the Mt. Charleston wildfire was reportedly moving southwest, fueled by 20 to 30 mph winds. Residents reported seeing massive swells of smoke from across the valley.
At around 4:27 P.M., NV Energy tweeted that the power lines at Mt. Charleston has been temporarily cut off as requested by fire officials. The Highway Patrol also tweeted that Route 158 at both state route 156 and 157 had been closed down due to the Mahogany Fire in Las Vegas.
According to the Clark County Fire Department, the Mt. Charleston Fire Protection District, the Las Vegas Fire Department, and the U.S. Forest Service are all responding to the scene. As of 4:50 P.M., no injuries and casualties have been reported.
Effects of Wildfires on Humans
According to the U.S. Climate and Health Alliance, exposure to the particulate matter coming from wildfires has been linked to a wide range of human health effects, such as coughing, wheezing, sore throat, teary eyes, and shortness of breath.
Some even report adverse health outcomes, ranging from increases in asthma-related hospitalizations, acute and chronic respiratory and cardiovascular health conditions, and premature death.
Wildfire smoke mostly consists of trace elements, nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbons, water vapor, carbon monoxide and dioxide, and other organic chemicals that could be detrimental to one's health.
Of these contaminants, particulate matter is the most concerning since it could be deeply inhaled in the lungs due to its very small size.
Understanding the Effects of Fire on the Environment
According to the Fourth National Climate Assessment published by the U.S. Global Change Research Program last year, wildfires have been growing significantly nationwide for decades.
The U.S. Forest Service says that fire can be fatal as it destroys homes, wildlife habitat, and timber. Furthermore, it also releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is a key greenhouse gas.
The effects of wildfire are influenced by forest conditions before the fire, and management action is done or not done after the fire.
