ELKO, Nev. (AP) — Wildfire managers in Nevada say extensive growth of cheat grass from a very wet winter, combined with high winds, extremely low humidity and unusually hot weather has created a perfect storm for explosive rangeland fires.
Monday was the first time the high temperature failed to reach 95 degrees or hotter in Reno since June 29. That 17-day stretch fell just two days shy of the all-time record of 19 consecutive days form Aug. 3-21, 1940.
The high in Reno topped out at 94 Monday and surpassed 90 early Tuesday afternoon — the 33rd day in a row it's been 90 or higher. That's also two shy of the record 35 straight days of at least 90 degrees set in July and August of 2005, and tied in 2008 and 2010.
The most predominant fuel has been cheat grass, an invasive weed that crowds out native plants, including sagebrush.
Bureau of Land Management spokesman Greg Deimel said from Elko on Tuesday it's very thick and dense. He says when the winds fan flames through the brush, "the fire just goes."