LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The wildfires that are spreading in Los Angeles have caused many to worry about possible risks we have in Southern Nevada.
The Henderson Fire Department wants to assure residents here that the fire danger is not the same even if we have a similar climate.
FOX5 met with Henderson Fire Department Chief Scott Vivier, at Whitney Mesa trail.
“So we are able to get into areas like this and do prevention,” Vivier said.
Though Whitney Mesa trail has had brush fires before, Chief Vivier said the structures are not that close together.
According to Chief Vivier, prevention is key.
His team partners with U.S. Forestry and finds areas with dry vegetation and chops them down.
“They don’t just cut down on brush down, they cut the right type of brush down and protect other types of brush,” Vivier said.
One of the many advantages we have in Southern Nevada, are the main roads that are wide enough to act as a fire breaker.
For example, if a brush fire were to start at a park, the main road in front of it would act as a fire breaker to help stop the fire from spreading to buildings across the street.
The City of Henderson said through their yearly mitigation they found two areas in the Cadence community on their radar however, the risk is still very low.
Whereas, in the LA area, Chief Vivier said one of the contributing factors why the fire spread so quick is because of the amount of land between houses.
Here in southern Nevada, the fact that we have more urban areas than greenery help us.
“We make the joke that because we are desert a lot of dirt doesn’t burn, we have far more dirt and rocks than bushes,” Vivier said.
The Henderson Fire Department studies every single square foot of the city when they do their wildfire risk assessment.
Copyright 2025 KVVU. All rights reserved.
Updated February 26, 2026 – 8:28 pm
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Green Valley’s softball team claimed an 8-6 win at Liberty on Thursday on the first day of high school spring sports competition in Nevada.
Green Valley next hosts Silverado at 3 p.m. Friday. Liberty plays at Bishop Gorman at 3 p.m. Friday.
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A deadly crash involving a semi tractor-trailer and a tow truck has closed US-95 in both directions at mile marker 73 in Nye County, the Nevada Highway Patrol said Thursday.
NHP responded to the crash at approximately 2:16 a.m. on Feb. 26, 2026.
Details about the crash were not immediately available, but both drivers were confirmed dead at the scene.
Both northbound and southbound travel lanes on US-95 at mile marker 73 remain closed as of the initial report. The closure is located approximately 13 miles north of Beatty, Nevada.
Drivers headed northbound are advised to take US-93 through Alamo, Nevada, then Highway 318 to Highway 375, then Highway 6 westbound into Tonopah, Nevada.
Drivers headed southbound out of Tonopah are advised to take US-6 eastbound to Highway 375, then Highway 318, then US-93 into Alamo, Nevada.
NHP said additional information will be released following the preliminary investigation.
Copyright 2026 KVVU. All rights reserved.
LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — World-renowned free climber and Las Vegas local Alex Honnold is soaring to new heights with a new mission: helping everyone explore Nevada and all that the Silver State has to offer.
Travel Nevada, the state’s tourism agency, partnered with Honnold on the venture. FOX5’s Jaclyn Schultz spoke to Honnold after his recent success climbing atop Taipei 101. Streaming service Netflix broadcast the free climb live to millions of viewers.
Honnold is already an advocate for outdoor preservation across Nevada, and worked to preserve thousands of climbing routes on public lands like Red Rock Canyon.
“Everyone I meet is like, ‘Why would you live in Vegas?’ They think, they think I just spent all my time on the Strip. The Strip is cool– it’s incredible in its own way, world-class entertainment and everything. But man, the outdoor access is unparalleled,” Honnold said.
“I moved here for a reason. I think it’s the best climbing. I think it’s arguably some of the best access in the world. Having a convenient airport and sort of convenient living coupled with very convenient rock– there just aren’t that many places like that in the world,” Honnold tells FOX5.
“Get A Little Out There With Alex Honnold” features outdoor adventures across Nevada, and takes people along to discover hidden gems in different towns and communities.
What’s the most “underrated place” in Nevada, according to Honnold?
“Ely, Nevada,” Honnold said. “The potential, the bare bones of having a small town at the base of giant mountains, the access to skiing, the access to trails–I was like, this is as good as any kind of Colorado resort town,” Honnold said.
Nevada’s tourism has notably taken a nosedive over the past year. Various businesses, local leaders and state agencies have worked to lure back tourists, international visitors and domestic travelers.
“Part of the appeal of making the show is that you do just want more people to know about the opportunity. Nevada’s 80% public land. You can just go out and have adventures virtually anywhere,” he said.
Episode 1 of Honnold’s series drops February 26 on Outside TV. You can learn more here: Travel Nevada
Copyright 2026 KVVU. All rights reserved.
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