Sparks Firefighters responded to a reported brush fire at the intersection of El Rancho Drive and McCarran Boulevard at 7:25 p.m. Monday. On arrival firefighters found a fast moving brush fire behind the businesses just north of this intersection. Four units from Sparks and one unit from Reno Fire Department extinguished the 1 ½-acre brush fire in about one hour.

There was not an immediate threat to homes in the area due to the non-combustible rock walls that were between the fire and the homes. No injuries were reported and the fire is currently under investigation. Firefighters said they found several discarded cigarette butts along a walking path on the west side of the fire, where it was first reported. According to Sparks Fire Department Division Chief Bill Finley, the fire was most likely human caused by a discarded cigarette.

The Sparks Fire Department asked that the public be reminded that smoking and discarding cigarettes in or near brush areas should be avoided.