Valley battles heat; mountain battles fire

The beginning of July has brought the end of this summer’s first major heat wave in the Las Vegas Valley.

With a high of 115 degrees on Tuesday, it’s still sweltering hot, but the highs are finally starting to look manageable, with 108 degrees forecast for Saturday.

The effects of the record-breaking temperatures continue to show.

The Las Vegas Fire Department received 55 heat-related calls on Monday, which followed 81 over the weekend.

Several wildfires started in Nevada this week.

Two were on the inside edge of the La Madre Mountain Wilderness area, about 20 miles north of Las Vegas. Both were caused by lightning strikes on Saturday, said a BLM spokeswoman.

One fire was contained at 11.5 acres Monday and the other is expected to be contained by Tuesday evening.

A fire north of Reno started Monday and is estimated at 5,400 acres in size. Rocky terrain and wind have made it difficult to contain. As of Tuesday, the fire was 35 percent contained by 300 personnel.

Contact Annalise Porter at aporter@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0264.