Rapidly growing Silver King Fire expands to 10,000+ acres, prompting evacuations

UPDATE — On Sunday evening, fire officials reported the wildfire has grown to approximately 10,823 acres and is exhibiting extreme fire behavior.

People are being asked to avoid the Beaver Creek drainage and Bullion drainage area for the safety of fire crews and the public. A red fire warning is in place until 9 p.m. Sunday when officials will reevaluate.

At 6:50 p.m., Marysvale city officials ordered the evacuation of the Upper Bullion Canyon residence, and power was cut to the canyon residence west of Cindy Staton’s place.

Firefighters are reportedly using multiple large aircraft, helicopters, and ground resources to reduce risks to the public and “increase defensible space.” However, fixed-wing aircraft have been grounded due to turbulent winds.

On Saturday, crews were able to protect Historic Silver King Mine, according to the post. In an effort to prevent the fire from spreading north, crews worked to catch spot fires.

MARYSVALE, Piute County — A wildfire caused by a lightning strike Friday afternoon is threatening historic mining structures in the Old Kimberly Mining District, according to wildfire officials.

Utah Fire Info said the Silver King Fire is eight miles west of Marysvale. Firefighters reported the fire reached 1100 acres with no containment Saturday afternoon.

Wildfire officials report that multiple air and ground resources are on the scene to combat this new wildfire.

The Silver King Fire is a few miles north of the Little Twist Fire, which has grown to nearly 4,200 acres and is 35% contained, according to the Utah Fire Info.

#LittleTwistFire: 4,234 acres, 35% containment. Firefighters & equipment have remained heavily engaged in suppression activities across the area of the Little Twist fire. Smoke has been visible the past few days while the fire has burned naturally in heavy dead & down fuels, in pic.twitter.com/IBjuUPL3Ap

— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 5, 2024

According to the Piute County website, the Kimberly Mine was built in the Tushar Mountains in the late 1800s during the Gold Rush era. The mine was called the “Queen of Utah” gold camps, and it employed 300 miners at the beginning of the 1900s.

The county said the town of Kimberly flourished until the mines closed in 1907. The town is considered a ghost town, but the mines are open to visitors.

Firefighters said all mountain trails are closed, and asked that people refrain from hiking in the area.