UPDATE | Aug. 24
As of Saturday afternoon, the Ribbon Fire is approximately 30% contained, according to the Nevada National Security Site.
NNSS said that on Friday, fire crews worked to slow the spread of the blaze which had embanked in a drainage area. They said crews completed eight drops of fire retardant at strategic points while a bulldozer created contingency lines to halt the spread.
Saturday, NNSS said now that high winds are dying down in the area, aerial crews will be able to map the burn area more effectively.
The current burn area has decreased to about 7,870 acres, according to a press release from NNSS.
They said the fire shows minimal signs of activity.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
NORTH LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A wildland fire that sparked Thursday afternoon has grown to 9,000 acres near the Nevada National Security Site.
As of Friday morning, the fire had burned through two contaminated areas, but "radiological exposure from the fire is well within acceptable bounds and poses no immediate threat to public health or safety," according to a public affairs officer for the site.
Smoke was first reported in the area at approximately 3 p.m., prompting a response from the site's fire and rescue personnel.
Additional help from the Bureau of Land Management was expected to come Friday morning. Air support is also expected to begin dropping fire suppressants soon.
The blaze is now being called the Ribbon Fire. While officials say it hasn't been fully contained, it "has become embanked in a drainage area which has effectively reduced its capacity to continue to spread."
"Additionally, at this time, no structures or assets are in danger, no injuries have been reported, and NNSS has full accountability of all employees," the site spokesperson stated.
Further updates were promised on the NNSS's social media pages, including X and Facebook.
