Authorities Investigate Cause of Whitney Mesa Fire That Left One Person Dead

Fire crews responding to an early-morning brush fire in Henderson discovered one person deceased after the flames spread from open land to nearby residential properties, officials confirmed Wednesday.

The fire ignited around 4:30 a.m. in the Whitney Mesa area near Sunset Road and Arroyo Grande Boulevard, west of Stephanie Street, according to Henderson Fire Chief Scott Vivier. When firefighters arrived, the blaze had already expanded to approximately two to three acres, damaging one home and affecting the landscaping of another.

Vivier said the early hour contributed to the rapid growth of the fire, as most residents were asleep when it began. Neighbors became aware of the situation only after seeing flames and smoke, prompting some to evacuate on their own before emergency crews arrived.

Two alarms were activated to handle the incident. Firefighters successfully contained the fire to its area of origin and extinguished it without further structural damage. Additional assistance was provided by Clark County firefighters and personnel from the Bureau of Land Management.

During a primary search following containment, responders located one deceased individual. The cause of death has not yet been determined, and the Henderson Police Department has opened an investigation.

As a precaution, approximately 50 residents were asked to evacuate due to heavy smoke conditions. Officials later allowed residents to return once the area was deemed safe. Vivier noted that the Henderson Fire Department has established evacuation protocols specifically for incidents in the Whitney Mesa area.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Fire crews were expected to stay on scene throughout the day to conduct cleanup operations and monitor for potential flare-ups. There was no immediate estimate for when Whitney Mesa Park would reopen to the public.

The Bureau of Land Management was requested to assist with removing damaged vegetation and hazardous brush in the burn area. Despite its proximity to the incident, Green Valley High School operated on a normal schedule, according to a spokesperson for the Clark County School District.

The Whitney Mesa area previously experienced a significant brush fire in 2016, sparked by fireworks during a Fourth of July celebration. That incident resulted in no reported injuries.