Nevada wildfire still burning out of control near secretive Area 51
The Quail Springs Fire, which was caused by lightning, now covers more than 13,500 acres, officials say.
A wildfire continues to burn unchecked near the highly classified Area 51 in Nevada, with only 7% of the blaze brought under control, according to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
The Quail Springs Fire, ignited by lightning, has been active for almost a week and has now consumed over 13,500 acres (54.6 sq km). Its rapid expansion is attributed to challenging terrain, elevated temperatures, and arid winds. The region is currently under an extreme heat advisory until at least Sunday, with no precipitation anticipated soon.
While no residences or public areas are at risk, the BLM has issued a smoke advisory for the small community of Rachel. The fire is advancing within the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR), a restricted military zone inaccessible to the public.
This military reservation is situated near Area 51, a facility established during the Cold War for the testing and development of aircraft. The activities conducted there today remain highly confidential, with public access prevented by warning signs, electronic monitoring, and armed personnel.
The intense secrecy surrounding Area 51 has given rise to numerous conspiracy theories, most notably the claim that it houses extraterrestrial beings from crashed spacecraft, a notion the US government has refuted.
Nevada is one of several US states recently affected by wildfires. In neighboring Oregon, over a million acres have been scorched, and Canada is also contending with hundreds of ongoing fires.