Crews Battle Several Wildfires Across Utah, New Evacuations Ordered For Pack Creek Fire
Jun 12, 2021, 10:26 PM | Updated: Jul 5, 2023, 4:19 pm
Crews battle the Broad Canyon Fire, which started west of Utah Lake near Little Moab Friday afternoon. (Utah Fire Info/Twitter)
(Utah Fire Info/Twitter)
SALT LAKE CITY — Crews are battling fires across Utah as temperatures are expected to reach into the 100s this week, setting several new records.
A new evacuation order was issued Sunday afternoon for all private property in and around the area east of Geyser Pass on La Sal Mountains, from Blue Lake down through Dark Canyon area, due to the Pack Creek Fire.
“We have been notified that the Pack Creek Fire has breached the Geyser Pass road and therefore, for the safety of all citizens, we ask that you evacuate at this time while it is safe to do so,” read a Facebook post from the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office.
The San Juan County Sheriffs Office has ordered new evacuations for the #PackCreekFire. The evacuation area covers all private property in and around the area East of Geyser Pass on LaSal Mountains, from Blue Lake down through Dark Canyon area. Visit their Facebook or see below: pic.twitter.com/ziiDrz9JzK
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) June 14, 2021
About 12 hours earlier, officials lifted evacuation orders for residents in the lower Pack Creek Ranches area.
Evacuations, however, are still in effect for the remaining homes past the U.S. Forest Service boundary.
The blaze was sparked Wednesday evening in San Juan County on the Manti-La Sal National Forest, south of Moab.
It has burned an estimated 5,424 acres and is 6% contained as of Sunday morning.
Bear Fire
Crews responded to a new fire near U.S. Highway 6 and Price Canyon in Carbon County on Tuesday.
The Bear Fire has burned an estimated 10,526 acres and is 10% contained as of Sunday morning.
“The fire was active until about 12:30 a.m., burning green islands within the existing fire perimeter but not spreading much. It was most active in Sowbelly Gulch and along Hardscrabble Road,” read an update from fire crews.
#BearFire morning update: The Bear Fire is currently mapped at 10,526 acres and is 10% contained. A #RedFlagWarning is in effect for the fire area today. Find more here: https://t.co/WO0vgxwGsc pic.twitter.com/IIlNia6jzH
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) June 13, 2021
Officials said a Red Flag Warning was in effect for the fire area Sunday.
Highway 6 reopened to traffic around 6 p.m. Friday after being closed for most of the day, but due to speeding and aggressive drivers, firefighters had to be temporarily pulled off the roadway.
Hwy 6 is back open, but firefighters on the #bearfire working on the side of the highway are being moved off of it because of speeding and aggressive drivers. Earlier today, falling rocks were a hazard. We're doing a story on this fire for @KSL5TV at 10. 📷Geoff Liesik/BLM #ksltv pic.twitter.com/3Ysc2qzZwi
— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) June 12, 2021
A Type II federal firefighting team took control of the fire Friday evening, which means more resources, instead of only state and local fire crews.
A public meeting has been planned for 7 p.m. Sunday to update the community on the fire. Officials said that meeting will be held live on Utah Wildfire’s Facebook page, as well as in-person at the Rio Theatre in Helper.
#BearFire <<PUBLIC MEETING>> 7 p.m. at the Rio Theatre, Helper, UT. Livestream available @UtahWildfire
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) June 13, 2021
State fire officials said the blaze was caused by lightning.
Pack Creek Fire
The Pack Creek Fire sparked Wednesday evening in San Juan County on the Manti-La Sal National Forest, south of Moab.
It has burned an estimated 5,424 acres and is 6% contained as of Sunday morning.
A new evacuation order was issued Sunday afternoon for all private property in and around the area east of Geyser Pass on La Sal Mountains, from Blue Lake down through Dark Canyon area, due to the Pack Creek Fire.
“We have been notified that the Pack Creek Fire has breached the Geyser Pass road and therefore, for the safety of all citizens, we ask that you evacuate at this time while it is safe to do so,” read a Facebook post from the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office.
About 12 hours earlier, officials lifted evacuation orders for residents in the lower Pack Creek Ranches area.
Evacuations, however, are still in effect for the remaining homes past the U.S. Forest Service boundary.
As of this morning the #PackCreekFire (Moab, UT) is over 5,400 acres and remains 6% contained. Many residents in Pack Creek are able to return to their homes. Photo by Allison Aaker, @ml_nf Archaeologist. #BLMRJW Learn more: https://t.co/ldZMsJKSXj pic.twitter.com/qRlshWRU1d
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) June 13, 2021
An area closure took effect Saturday, which prohibits public access to the west side of the La Sal Mountains, about 10 miles southeast of Moab.
More than 50 roads and trails in the area are also closed in order to keep the public away and safe.
Officials said containment of the fire was challenging for firefighters due to the steep, rocky terrain, but with the addition of more than 100 personnel over the next two days, efforts were expected to improve.
The blaze was caused by an abandoned campfire, according to state fire officials.
Broad Canyon Fire
The Broad Canyon Fire, which started west of Utah Lake near Little Moab in Utah County, reached 100% containment Sunday evening.
Just after noon Sunday, crews said they were continuing to secure the perimeter of the fire, but officials were worried about high winds testing the fire line.
“Fire lines have held throughout the day’s heat/wind and the majority of resources will be demobilized tomorrow,” read a tweet later that day from Utah Fire Info.
Fire officials have updated the containment of the #BroadCanyonFire to 100%. Fire lines have held throughout the day's heat/wind & the majority of resources will be demobilized tomorrow. Unless significant events take place, this will be the last update for this incident.#blmdo
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) June 14, 2021
Command of the blaze shifted overnight to a local BLM Incident Commander, according to a tweet from Utah Fire Info.
The cause was determined to be from an escaped camp fire.
Mammoth Fire
Crews made significant progress on the Mammoth Fire, which was 72% contained and estimated at just over 700 acres Sunday morning.
Today will be the final update for the #MammothFire crews made significant progress, expanding fire containment on the south and north perimeter. with 72% contained it will transition back to the local unit tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. More Info at https://t.co/zs8evujBQA pic.twitter.com/Swogh5ZyDV
— Forest Service-Dixie (@usfsdnf) June 13, 2021
The blaze, which started Saturday, June 5 in the Dixie National Forest, forced the evacuation of around 250 homes and cabins and about 150 people in the Mammoth Creek Village.
On Sunday, officials said the order was being evaluated by the Garfield County Sheriff and fire managers.
They also said command would transition from the Type 2 Great Basin Incident Management Team 5 back to the local unit at 6 a.m. Monday.
This fire was caused by lightning.
Bennion Creek Fire
This fire, burning in southern Utah County, was estimated at 7,200 acres and 10% containment Sunday evening.
“Saturday afternoon, strong winds caused rapid fire growth to the fire’s south, within the area of Sugar House Camp and to the fire’s north, within the area of Bennion Creek Camp,” read a Facebook post from the U.S. Forest Service in the Manti La-Sal National Forest.
A successful burnout was executed that day by firefighters, which prevented the flames from crossing further east of Starvation Road or south of Forest Road 0008. Aside from the burnout, officials said significant growth did not occur overnight.
The Aspen Cove subdivision was evacuated Thursday afternoon after high winds caused the fire to grow rapidly.
Officials said the order will be reevaluated every day and depends on the fire’s activity.
#BennionCreekFire the fire had high winds & extreme fire behavior pushing it to the SE. Local authorities evacuated Aspen Cove. Crews are working to establish containment lines to protect structures and the community. The fire has grown to 4,706 acres & is 0% containment. #usfsss pic.twitter.com/psThyu4SO4
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) June 11, 2021
The blaze was sparked by natural causes.
Bennion Ridge Road, Forest Road 0008 (Bear Ridge Road), Starvation Road and Fish Creek Trail are closed due to the fire.
East Canyon Fire
At the last update, which came in Thursday evening, this Morgan County fire was considered 90% contained.
“The last 10% is in the thickest vegetation and will need additional work,” read a tweet from Utah Fire Info.
At least two homes and eight cabins were evacuated Tuesday afternoon after winds shifted, pushing flames up the canyon, but the order was lifted Wednesday. State Route 66 also reopened that day.
Officials said the fire was started by a Dominion Energy crew using heavy equipment in the area.
The #EastCanyonFire is 90% contained. The last 10% is in the thickest vegetation & will need additional work. The fire remained in the perimeter with no significant issues during the wind events today. Tomorrow, the local unit will resume command of the fire. #kmyffsl
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) June 11, 2021
