Crews are battling a brush fire that has grown to more than 36,000 acres in the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument that is burning in a “critical tortoise habitat,” according to the Bureau of Land Management Arizona.

The fire is named the Basin Fire and is burning 25 miles southeast of Mesquite, Nevada.

The fire begun Sunday about 2 p.m and was caused by lightning from a thunderstorm passing through the area, according to the BLM.

It was 36,488 acres and 5% contained as of Monday night, according to the BLM. About 145 people were working to fight the fire.

The fire is not threatening any structures. “Red flag conditions” due to high winds and low humidity are expected in the area, according to the BLM.

Fire engines along with air support resources are working on the fire.  

The fire is burning in the BLM’s Arizona Strip District. The area is “among the most remote and rugged public land in the lower 48 states,” according to the BLM. 

BLM said that the fire is burning in critical tortoise habitat. The Mohave desert tortoise is listed as a threatened species in the Arizona Strip District, according to the BLM. 

If fire crews encounter a desert tortoise, they try to move it out of the way, BLM spokeswoman Dolores Garcia said. 

Reach breaking news reporter Alyssa Stoney at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @stoney_alyssa.

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