The Golden Eagle Sports Complex has reopened after several days of closure. The park closed as a result of the Earthstone Fire that started nearby. Caden Enriquez plays collegiate baseball at Golden Eagle and says the fire damage has drastically changed the landscape nearby.
"Every opposing team who comes to town they always compliment the backdrop and everything and to see it all black now it's definitely a shame,” says Enriquez.
Charlene Bybee with the City of Sparks feared for the park's safety at the time of the fire. She says thanks to fire crews and because of their quick efforts, the sports complex remained unharmed. She says damage to the park could have been a significant economic hit, as it drives in tourism every year.
"Millions of dollars of economic impact yearly because teams come in from all around the country. There's tournaments on an ongoing basis,” says Bybee.
With so many fires still burning across northern Nevada, air quality is in the back of everyone's minds that play at the park. Parents, players and coaches are encouraged to be aware of their health and discontinue play if they feel unsafe.
"If winds shifted and they became bad they would cancel so want to make sure it's safe for everybody, not just kids but everybody outdoors doing outdoor activities,” says Bybee.
