Forest Service reports progress on Potosi fire

Firefighters are making progress on containing the wildfire burning on the west side of Mount Potosi, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The Forest Service reported about 8:30 p.m. Sunday the wildfire is about 45 percent contained and is still burning over 420 acres. The fire, located about 28 miles southwest of Las Vegas, was ignited by a lightning strike Thursday evening.

Firefighters continued to work around the edges of the fire on Sunday to keep it from spreading, despite excessive heat and the steep, rocky terrain, the Forest Service said.

More than 100 personnel are battling the blaze, according to the Forest Service, including two hand crews, four engines, a helicopter, 15 supervisors and eight “smokejumpers” — firefighters who parachute into remote areas to fight wildfires.

On Saturday, Forest Service spokeswoman Marnie Bonesteel said firefighters at Mount Potosi were having issues with private drones in the area. It’s illegal to operate drones over wildfires because they disrupt firefighting efforts and can endanger crews in the air and on the ground.

The Forest Service is asking the public to avoid Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management roads south of State Route 160. Saturday night.

The north side of the casino floor was closed after the leak was stopped, and Saturday night shows at the Sin

City Theatre and Cabaret Show Lounge were canceled, according to Adrienne Prather-marcos, spokeswoman for the hotel-casino’s parent, Caesars Entertainment Corp.

“We are close to being fully operational with only a few food and beverage outlets and gaming areas still being cleaned,” the hotel-casino said in a statement.“it is important to note that Planet Hollywood’s hotel operations, guest services and most casino and other services were unaffected by last night’s water leak.”

Planet Hollywood officials are still searching for the cause of the leak in a pipe that supplies water to the sprinkler system.