Rough terrain, high temperatures and dry winds fuel fire’s growth
The Quail Springs Fire has burned for nearly a week after lightning ignited it in the Nevada Test and Training Range, a restricted military reservation that borders the Area 51 facility. The Bureau of Land Management said the fire now covers more than 13,500 acres — roughly 54.6 square kilometers — and is 7% contained.
The fire’s growth has been accelerated by a combination of conditions. The Bureau of Land Management said rough terrain, high temperatures and dry winds have caused the fire to grow significantly. The area is under an extreme heat warning that will remain in place through at least Sunday, and no rain is forecast in the near term.
No homes or public spaces are currently threatened, according to the Bureau of Land Management. The small town of Rachel, the nearest community, has been placed under a smoke warning.
The Nevada Test and Training Range is closed to the public. Area 51, adjacent to it, was established during the Cold War as a testing and development facility for aircraft. What happens inside today remains extremely classified; the Bureau of Land Management said the public is kept away by warning signs, electronic surveillance and armed guards. The secrecy has fueled conspiracy theories, including claims that the site holds aliens from crashed spacecraft — allegations the U.S. government has denied.
The Quail Springs Fire is part of a larger wildfire season unfolding across the western United States and Canada. More than a million acres have burned in neighboring Oregon, and Canada is still dealing with hundreds of active fires.