Golfer starts fire with spark from club

RENO, Nev., June 20 (UPI) -- Reno, Nev., fire officials say a brush fire was caused by a golfer who tried to play his ball from a patch of grass near the Wildcreek Golf Course.

Reno Battalion Chief Curtis Johnson said the golfer hit his ball off the course and then struck an object with his club while trying to direct the ball back to the fairway, The Reno Gazette-Journal reported Wednesday.

The impact of the club on the object created a spark that caused the brush fire, Johnson said.

"He was totally honest about it," Johnson said.

He said he did not know whether it was the golfer who made the emergency call that brought between 45 and 50 firefighters to the scene from Reno and nearby Sparks, Nev.

"We had a lot here," Johnson said. "We use a task force response now, three brush engines and three structure engines and a water tender. We've changed tactics this year because of the dangerous conditions."

Johnson said the blaze did not threaten any structures or cause damage to any holes or practice areas at the golf course.