Evacuation Orders Remain In Effect As Crews Battle Parleys Canyon Fire

PARK CITY, Utah — Thousands of homes remain evacuated as several air and ground resources continue their battle against the Parleys Canyon Fire.

The fire is burning off of Interstate 80, between mile markers 137 and 138, just east of Lambs Canyon.

It sparked Saturday around 1:30 p.m. after fire officials said a catalytic converter in poor working order ejected hot particles along the roadside, causing four separate fires to start, which eventually merged into one large fire.

Fire investigators found multiple pieces of charred material on the road near the fire start.

At the latest update Saturday, fire officials said the blaze had burned more than 2,000 acres.

Monday morning, state fire officials said better mapping had the Parleys Canyon Fire at 539 acres, less than the 619 acres reported on Sunday.

🔥 Better mapping has the #ParleysCanyonFire at 539 acres, still 10% contained. Great Basin Team #4 assumed command and is continually evaluating closures and evacuations. Read the full update, finds maps, additional photos, and more→ https://t.co/MAJbRn7ysa pic.twitter.com/5NDZLfOJED

— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) August 16, 2021

Crews who battled the fire Saturday night and into Sunday morning said there was minimal activity.

That turned into moderate fire behavior Sunday afternoon, but state fire officials said they made great progress, reaching 10% containment.

No structures have reportedly been lost.

Crews on #ParleysCanyonFire made great progress today. Fire is now 10% contained. Moderate fire behavior was observed today, and aircraft supported firefighters throughout the day. An infrared flight has been requested overnight to map today's new acreage.

PC Scott Winterton pic.twitter.com/mIIOqZj82Q

— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) August 16, 2021

About 6,000 to 8,000 homes in the Summit Park, Pinebrook and Timberline neighborhoods, as well as Lambs Canyon and the upper Mill Creek Canyon area, were ordered to evacuate Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday, officials with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office said those evacuation orders remain in place, adding that they could stay in effect through Tuesday morning.

Fire Evacuation Update 🔥- As of Sunday morning, evacuations orders remain in place – these orders could last through Tuesday morning. However, the #parleyscanyonfire behavior and fire fighting efforts will be evaluated throughout the day. pic.twitter.com/hF8POslj6B

— Sheriff Justin (@SummitCountySO) August 15, 2021

The Sheriff’s Office said they were allowing some residents to travel back to their homes Sunday to get personal belongings or care for their pets.

For that to happen, they said residents had to check in and out with deputies located at the evacuation checkpoints, and the trip needed to be quick so aircraft could continue dropping suppression materials on the fire.

“Afterwards, you think about all of those things that you would like to have taken, but are still in the house,” said Martin Drayton, who lives in Park Summit and saw the fire burning behind his home Saturday.

State fire officials said the Northern Utah Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command of the Parleys Canyon Fire Sunday and that 120 personnel were on scene fighting it.

Great Basin Team #4 took control Monday morning with 191 total personnel on scene, including four helicopters, 14 engines and three dozers.

According to a tweet from Gov. Spencer Cox, several hot shot crews who were sent to fight fires in other states have been called back to help contain the Parleys Canyon Fire.

Thanks to yesterday’s air attack and fire crews from all over the state, #ParleysCanyonFire advanced little over night. Because of fewer human caused fires in Utah, hot shot crews have been able to work in other states. Now several are headed back to help on this fire.

— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) August 15, 2021

Multiple helicopters responded to the area Sunday to drop water on the blaze and assist ground crews as they worked to establish a perimeter on the fire.

“On this eastern edge right here, Pine Brook Community and then Summit Park community, that’s our main priority right now,” said Ryan Love, public information officer with the Unified Fire Authority. “So, we’re making sure that that area is buttoned up. We’re putting as many resources in that area as we can, but also the Western Flank, as well. It was heating up a little bit today. We brought a VLAT in to drop some retardant.”

Only two lanes remain open in the eastbound direction of Interstate 80, while all lanes heading westbound are open to traffic, according to officials with the Utah Department of Transportation.

“Reduced visibility is possible due to smoke from the fire. Consider using an alternate route,” read their tweet.

Update: Wildfire I-80 Parleys Cyn near MP 137, Lambs Canyon to Parleys Summit. Fire fighting operations continue. EB two lanes are open with minimal travel delay. WB all lanes are open. Reduced visibility is possible due to smoke from the fire. Consider using an alternate route.

— UDOT Traffic (@UDOTTRAFFIC) August 15, 2021

Jordanelle State Park has been closed to the public for day-use water access so firefighters can use the reservoir to help contain the blaze.

Officials with the Utah State Parks said it will remain closed on Monday, Aug. 16 as well.

NOTICE: Jordanelle State Park will remain closed to day-use water access on Monday, August 16th in order for firefighting crews to continue to use the reservoir in their efforts to contain the #ParleysCanyonFire.

Learn more: https://t.co/zFHazAQb1E

— Utah Division of State Parks (@UtahStateParks) August 16, 2021