Large brush fire still burning near Sam Boyd Stadium; no buildings threatened

A four- to seven-acre brush fire in a swampy area near 7000 Russell Road east of Sam Boyd Stadium sent heavy smoke Saturday over the east Las Vegas Valley. Las Vegas Fire Department officials said the area often burns in the spring, but no buildings were threatened and no injuries were reported. The fire was reported at 3:43 p.m. and was 40 percent contained Saturday evening. Firefighters were expected to fight the blaze through the night. The Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service , National Parks Service, Nevada Division of Forestry and Las Vegas police helped. The adjacent Wetlands Park remained open, but officials warned that heavy smoke may affect those with respiratory problems.