Font Size:

A smoke plume could be seen throughout Reno Sunday as a four acre wildfire erupted in an isolated area of Peavine Mountain.

Driving out to cover this early-season fire for KOLO, I experienced firsthand just how isolated and difficult to reach the blaze was. I drove several very narrow, rocky dirt roads, bordered at times to one side by a shear drop. The terrain became so steep, I turned around my SUV and joined a photographer in a live truck to give it another attempt. This time with the photographer behind the wheel and driving on a wider, but still winding, dirt road we got fairly close to the fire scene.

However, even on a wider road there was not enough space for vehicles to pass. This is one reason firefighters are warning people never to go to the scene of wildfires to be a spectator. Cars can actually block firefighters' access to wildland fires -- and getting to these blazes quickly is critical in stopping flames from rapidly spreading.

The Reno Fire Department said people trying to get a look at this fire hampered crews' efforts to put it out. While the brush fire remained small, had it broken out later in the season when fuels are typically dryer it may have been much more severe, authorities are saying.

As we begin another fire season, RFD wants to give you a friendly reminder not to go to the scene of fires. Members of the media undergo special safety training and coordinate with firefighters on where it's safe for our vehicles to be positioned. KOLO and other media outlets will always be your eyes and ears when fires break out.