Fire 95 percent contained; lightning strike blamed

LAS VEGAS - A $1 million wildfire was caused by a lightning strike that occurred at least 10 days before the blaze erupted and charred 2,000 acres on Mount Charleston.

A fire investigation team of representatives of the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Nevada State Fire Marshal's office and Nye County Emergency Services reached the conclusion Friday.

''They've determined that the lighting strike occurred on or before May 25 and smoldered in vegetation for several days before the wind picked up and spread it to adjacent vegetation,'' Forest Service spokeswoman Betty Blodgett said Friday. Investigators located the pinion pine where the lightning strike occurred, she said.

Initially, firefighters suspected campers might have been responsible for the Buck Springs fire.

The fire, which erupted June 3, was reported 95 percent contained Friday.

At the height of the blaze, 660 firefighters from eight states were joined by nine tankers and five helicopters in battling the stubborn fire.

Blodgett said about 550 firefighters remained on duty early Friday, but 250 were expected to leave during the day. More will be released Saturday, with 80 expected to stay over the weekend for mop-up operations.

The government has spent more than $1 million battling the blaze. Thirteen firefighters suffered minor injuries.

Blodgett said wildlife that frequent the area - including elk, deer, birds and chipmunks - already have begun returning.

Officials had expected to have the blaze fully contained Thursday. But winds gusting to 50 mph fanned the flames Wednesday and Thursday, and prevented aerial tankers from attacking the last remnants of the blaze.

Firefighters were able to make headway in their fight late Thursday, when temperatures dropped to 31 degrees on the peak, 45 miles northwest of Las Vegas.