RENO " The Oxbow Nature Study Area will be closed until further notice while crews work to clean up trees, snags and other hazardous debris left by a brush fire that burned more than half of the urban oasis in Reno, officials said today.
Officials said the Sunday afternoon fire was started by people, but the exact cause has yet to be determined.
Oxbow is owned by the city and Nevada Department of Wildlife. Officials said 16-18 acres of the 22-acre park along the Truckee River burned.
No injuries were reported during the fire, and nearby homes were spared from flames.
The park is an urban hub of wildlife ranging from woodpeckers, water fowl and eagles to beavers, raccoons, mink and deer.
The fire started in the western area of the park and produced a large column of smoke that was visible throughout the Reno area. Several spot fires started by embers were quickly put out.
One Union Pacific Railroad train was temporarily stopped while crews extinguished fire along the south side of the railroad right of way.