Responders working the Nakia Creek Fire near Larch Mountain are in their final stages of their work, as favorable weather helped increase the fire’s containment over the weekend.
In its Oct. 23 update, the fire’s joint incident command reported the 1,918 acre fire was 54% contained. Throughout last week, the fire increased in size from 1,565 acres reported on Oct. 17, though the containment increased steadily from 5% that day.
All evacuation orders were lifted on Oct. 20 as the fire became about a quarter contained. The cooler temperatures brought “moderated fire behavior,” which at the time was “mostly creeping and smoldering, with some isolated hotspots.” At the height of evacuations, about 2,900 residences were in the highest “go now” level which indicates residents should evacuate immediately.
Though evacuation orders were issued, no structures were reported lost due to the fire as of the Oct. 23 update. On Oct. 21, the rainfall aided efforts to contain the fire, as containment grew to 43% as of the joint incident command’s Oct. 22 report.
The fire began on Oct. 9 and is believed to be human-caused, according to authorities. On Oct. 17, the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office asked for the public’s assistance to identify a vehicle and persons of interest who were captured on video at about 3:30 p.m. the day the fire started near where the fire was burning on Larch Mountain.
In the announcement, Clark County Assistant Fire Marshal Curtis Eavenson said the office was looking for a white or light-covered Subaru. Based on witness statements, they were also looking for two women and two men connected with the vehicle.
The office released a video, which is available online at you tube.com/shorts/dwziCVbAm Ls and a photo to help identify the people of interest. Those who have any information are directed to call the fire marshal’s office at 564-397-3320.
