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On Wed., Aug 21, an increase in fire activity on the Broom Canyon Fire produced a large column of smoke highly visible from southern Nevada and western Utah. This fire is burning nine miles east of Duckwater or 60 miles southwest of Ely, Nevada, on Currant Mountain within the Currant Mountain Wilderness. The fire continues to burn in steep, rugged, and inaccessible terrain above 7,000 feet. 

“Even though the fire remains very active it is still well within our planning area,” said Ely District Ranger Jose Noriega. “Resources are on site and plan to engage as needed when it is safe to do so.” 

The Ely Ranger District is managing the fire under a confine and contain strategy. This lightning-caused fire is currently located in an area where firefighter safety mitigations cannot be achieved therefore fire suppression actions are not being taken at this time. Areas within the planning boundary have been identified for safe opportunities for suppression actions. Firefighters are also improving roads that have been identified as contingency fire lines should the fire move outside the planning boundary to the west. 

Over the past several days, the fire has remained active on the north, south, and east flanks and is now burning on both sides of the ridge. The forecast for this weekend calls for increased winds which is expected to result in more fire activity and a large smoke column. The fire is burning in white fir, pinyon pine and juniper, but also leaving lots of unburned vegetation resulting in a mosaic pattern. 

Smoke and fire activity will likely be seen into September and October until the first snow hits the mountain. For updates on air quality, visit: www.fire.airnow.gov.

Ely Ranger District (Aug. 22, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.)

• Acres: Acres: 4,633 (Updated Acreage @ 6:30 p.m.)
• Location: Burning on Currant Mountain in the Currant Mountain Wilderness, which is nine miles east of Duckwater or 60 miles southwest of Ely, Nevada.
• Start Date: July 29, 2024
• Cause: Lightning
• Containment: 15%
• Personnel: 70

Fire Information: 

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nvhtf-broom-canyon-fire 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumboldtToiyabeNF #BroomCanyonFire
• X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/HumboldtToiyabe #BroomCanyonFire