Crews Battling Several Wildfires As Record Heat Wave Moves In
Jun 14, 2021, 10:18 AM | Updated: May 21, 2023, 4:36 pm
Fire crews at the Bennion Creek Fire on Sunday, June 13, 2021. (Utah Fire Info/Twitter)
(Utah Fire Info/Twitter)
SALT LAKE CITY — Crews are battling wildfires across Utah as temperatures are expected to reach into the 100s this week, setting several records.
Red flag and excessive heat warnings are in effect for large portions of the Beehive State through Tuesday.
Temperatures will pass 100 degrees across Utah today, and excessive heat and red flag warnings are in effect through Tuesday.@KSLweyman has details this morning on @KSL5TV. #KSLTV #UTWX https://t.co/IGbqBJaZ4U
— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) June 14, 2021
Fire officials said most of the state was in Extreme Fire Danger Risk Monday afternoon.
“When conditions are EXTREME all fires are potentially serious because fires start quickly, spread furiously, and burn intensely. It is often too dangerous for firefighters to engage with direct attack suppression tactics,” read a Facebook post from Utah Fire Info.
Pack Creek Fire Forces Evacuations
New evacuation orders were issued Sunday for all private property in and around the area east of Geyser Pass on the 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.
Officials lifted evacuation orders for residents in the lower Pack Creek Ranches area earlier Sunday.
The #PackCreekFire is 8,243 acres & 6% contained. We are seeing drought conditions that haven’t been seen for at least 90 years. More containment line was secured yesterday around Pack Creek, but containment remains at 6% due to fire growth. More: https://t.co/hxECCbnwnM pic.twitter.com/9VV173t7iG
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) June 14, 2021
However, evacuations were 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 had burned an estimated 8,243 acres and was 16% contained as of Monday evening.
“The significant spread of the Pack Creek Fire since Wednesday, June 9, is the result of drought conditions in the Manti-La Sal Mountains that haven’t been seen for at least 90 years,” fire officials said. “The combination of record heat, extremely dry fuels and steep, rugged terrain presents historic challenges for firefighters attempting to control the fire’s spread. More containment line was secured yesterday around Pack Creek, but containment remains at 6% due to growth in the fire perimeter.”
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.
Bennion Creek Fire
This fire, burning in southern Utah County, experienced overnight growth due to extremely dry conditions and erratic winds, growing to 7,724 acres as of Monday.
It was 10% contained as of 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.
#bennioncreekfire experienced overnight growth due to extremely dry conditions and erratic winds. The fire is now 7724 acres. pic.twitter.com/2HGqNeBlID
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) June 14, 2021
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.
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.
Bear Fire
Crews responded to a lightning-caused fire near U.S. Highway 6 and Price Canyon in Carbon County last Tuesday.
The Bear Fire had burned an estimated 10,932 acres and was 14% contained as of Monday morning.
#BearFire infrared and maps showing containment actions. The fire is currently mapped at about 10,932 acres and is 14% contained. Find downloadable maps and full update at https://t.co/WO0vgxwGsc pic.twitter.com/q5fxiXfiS8
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) June 14, 2021
U.S. 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.
Fire crews also responded to several incidents along U.S. 6 during their overnight shift Sunday, and they asked drivers to stay focused, slow down, and use caution in the area.
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.
“Priorities (Monday) are to continue to construct containment lines above Helper and north of Spring Canyon Road,” officials said. “If conditions are favorable, this may include burning above the road. The second priority is to secure the fireline along Ford Ridge.”
Broad Canyon Fire
The Broad Canyon Fire, which started west of Utah Lake near Little Moab in Utah County, reached 100% containment Sunday night.
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.
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
