WILDFIRES
Jacob City Fire now 35% contained as monsoon moisture falls on Utah fires
Jul 14, 2022, 12:37 PM | Updated: May 21, 2023, 4:38 pm
FILE: Crews drop fire retardant on the Jacob City Fire on July 9. (UWCNF)
(UWCNF)
SALT LAKE CITY — Monsoon rains fells on all three of Utah’s biggest wildfires on Wednesday, and the Jacob City Fire is now 35% contained.
The Jacob City, Dry Creek and Halfway Hill fires all saw at least 1/10 of an inch of rain — and while not monumental, the wetting rain reached the flames in Tooele County and less gusty wind conditioned helped firefighters in Millard County.
RAIN ON UTAH FIRES:
A huge help from Mother Nature yesterday as beneficial monsoon rains fell on all 3 of Utah's biggest fires yesterday! #utwx ⛈️➡️🔥 pic.twitter.com/abauONs5pO
— Matthew Johnson (@KSL_Matt) July 14, 2022
Jacob City Fire
Crews with the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest said this human-caused fire is now 35% and has burned 4,185 acres.
Over 470 personnel have responded to help fight the fire, and one person has been arrested in connection with sparking the fire.
Man in custody after leaving hot saw on generator that allegedly sparked Jacob City Fire
Crews said most of the perimeter is holding at the existing fireline, and firefighters will construct additional handlines to control any spread outside the fire’s perimeter.
Monsoonal moisture will move into the area Thursday, but storms are only expected to bring minimal to moderate rainfall and could cause erratic winds.
Halfway Hill Fire
This human-caused fire has burned 11,637 acres and is 10% contained. Monsoonal moisture, calmer winds and additional crews and supplies aided fire suppression efforts on Wednesday.
State fire officials were optimistic about progress made in securing the fire perimeter but warned additional rainfall will not reduce the burn potential for a forest that has sustained prolonged drought.
However, storms forecasted for Thursday could bring more rain to the area, and more humid conditions will likely tame some of the overnight fire activity.
Four people were previously arrested in connection with starting the fire.
Fire officials will hold a community update on the Halfway Hill Fire on Friday at 7 p.m. at Fillmore’s North Park pavilion.
Evacuations for the Virginia Hills subdivision were lifted on Wednesday. Evacuation notices were issued shortly after the fire started on July 8.
Dry Creek Fire
Just north of the Halfway Hill Fire, the Dry Creek Fire is 90% contained and has burned 1,772 acres.
Other fires
State fire officials announced the Apple Valley and Sardine fires were 100% contained as of Wednesday.
