Latest news with #DeerCreekFire
Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Rare 'Firenado' vortex captured as wildfire rips through 9,000 acres in Utah
The massive blaze has already scorched 8,925 acres and remains completely uncontained, with firefighters struggling to gain control amid dangerous conditions A shocking new video has captured the formation of a rare 'firenado' during the raging Deer Creek Fire in Utah, USA. The colossal inferno has already burnt through 8,925 acres and remains entirely uncontrolled, with firefighters battling to gain control under perilous conditions. Fanned by dry winds, the wildfire has expanded rapidly, forcing crews to withdraw from the front lines and leading to wider evacuations in the area. Even here in the UK, where wildfires are less common than the US, a wildfire recently swept through a London suburb, requiring the efforts of 80 firefighters to combat the flames. Authorities have cautioned that the extreme heat and unpredictable wind patterns are creating hazardous firefighting conditions, as the fire continues to spread unchecked. A 'firenado', or fire tornado, is a rare and dangerous event that occurs when intense heat from a wildfire causes rising air to spin into a vortex, drawing in flames, ash, and debris, reports the Express. Unlike traditional tornadoes, which form from severe thunderstorms and atmospheric instability, firenadoes result from extreme heat and turbulent wind conditions on the ground. They can reach temperatures of up to 1,000°C and generate winds exceeding 100 mph. The term "firenado" became widely known during a 2003 wildfire in Australia, although such events have been recorded for over a century. One of the most notorious instances happened during the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake in Japan, where a firestorm claimed over 38,000 lives in Tokyo. Firenadoes are typically short-lived but highly destructive, posing significant challenges to firefighters. Recent events in the US, Australia, and Canada have highlighted their growing frequency, likely linked to increasingly severe wildfire seasons driven by climate change. Firefighters remain on high alert as the blaze continues to rage out of control, with officials confirming there was still 0% containment as of Sunday night. Crews are battling against dry conditions and powerful gusts that are fuelling the flames and complicating efforts to bring the inferno under control.
Cedar News
21 hours ago
- Climate
- Cedar News
Video: Firefighters Battle Massive Wildfire as Rare Firenado Erupts in Utah
La Sal, Utah – July 13, 2025 — Fire crews are facing a fierce challenge as they battle the rapidly spreading Deer Creek Fire near La Sal, Utah. The wildfire has already consumed 8,925 acres and remains 0% contained, fueled by dry conditions and powerful winds. The fire's intensity peaked with the formation of a rare and dangerous fire tornado — also known as a fire whirl — which launched trees and debris high into the sky, creating chaotic and unpredictable conditions for firefighters on the ground. Due to the extreme fire behavior, crews have been forced to retreat to safety zones. Officials have expanded evacuation orders across the area to protect residents from the growing threat. Watch stunning footage of this extraordinary event as emergency responders continue their fight against one of Utah's most intense wildfires this season.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
FEMA authorizes funds for fighting Deer Creek Fire
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah () — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced on Saturday it has authorized the use of federal funds to help fight the Deer Creek Fire. The Deer Creek Fire, which started on Thursday, is estimated to be at 7,500 acres and is zero percent contained as of Saturday afternoon. FEMA approved the state of Utah's request after it was received this afternoon and determining that the fire threatened such destruction that it would constitute a major disastser. The Deer Creek Fire has destroyed ten homes and was threatening another 140 homes and 600 other structures, and mandatory evacuations are in place for 400 people. The authorization allows FEMA funding to become available to pay 75 percent of the state's eligible firefighting costs under approved grants. These grants do not cover individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire. Unified Police standoff in Magna ends with surrender, suspect in custody Good news: Florida animal shelter's longest resident finds forever home Search for missing man at Silver Lake Flat in American Fork Canyon FEMA authorizes funds for fighting Deer Creek Fire Missing, endangered advisory canceled after Alisa Petrov found safe Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Cedar News
3 days ago
- Climate
- Cedar News
Deer Creek Fire Forces Evacuations, Destroys Homes in San Juan County, Utah
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (July 11, 2025) — A fast-moving wildfire known as the Deer Creek Fire has burned over 6,600 acres near the La Sal area in southeastern Utah, prompting widespread evacuations and destroying multiple structures. The fire broke out Thursday afternoon, July 10, near Old La Sal and rapidly expanded due to extreme heat, low humidity, and strong winds. As of Friday morning, more than 250 residents have been evacuated, and the blaze remains 0% contained. Fire Impact at a Glance: Acres burned: 6,684+ Homes destroyed: At least 4 Homes threatened: More than 20 Outbuildings lost: 5, including a U.S. Forest Service facility Evacuations: 250+ people Road closures: State Route 46 and Old La Sal Road Containment: 0% as of Friday morning The fire also damaged power infrastructure and continues to threaten additional homes. Evacuees have been directed to shelters at the La Sal Community Center. Firefighters from multiple agencies are working under red flag conditions, battling low humidity levels and wind gusts up to 35 mph. The cause of the Deer Creek Fire is under investigation. Officials have not ruled out human involvement, and fire crews remain focused on containment efforts along ridgelines and near threatened communities. Authorities are urging residents to remain alert, follow evacuation orders, and avoid the area for their safety. Stay with us for updates as more information becomes available.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfire near La Sal in San Juan County burning 4K acres, prompts evacuations
A wildfire sparked Thursday afternoon in San Juan County prompted evacuations in the community of La Sal and was burning 4,000 acres. San Juan County officials said the fire started along Deer Creek Road just east of La Sal midafternoon. Within an hour, officials began ordering residents to evacuate. Utah Department of Transportation later announced the closure of state Route 46 in both directions, starting 3 miles outside of La Sal. Officials don't yet know what sparked the blaze — which state fire officials have named the Deer Creek Fire. It's burning on private land, officials said. No structures have been damaged, but state fire officials said some homes are threatened. 'Please leave the area if you are near this incident. If you have been displaced because of this and need a place to get out of the heat, go to the Community Center in La Sal,' reads a Facebook post from San Juan County. The number of people evacuated from La Sal was not immediately available. Strong wind gusts up to 35 mph and relative humidity levels as low as 6% to 11% have created 'critical fire weather' throughout southeast Utah, according to the National Weather Service's Grand Junction, Colorado, office. It issued a red flag warning for areas of Utah east of the Colorado River, including San Juan County, through the end of the day Thursday. 'This is where we have high fire danger today with the heat (and) the wind,' said KSL meteorologist Kristen Van Dyke. Friday could be less breezy across most of the region, but hot and dry conditions are forecast throughout the weekend, Van Dyke added. That means red flag conditions could linger into the weekend. Long-range weather models indicate that the pattern could shift by the following weekend, as monsoons may return to the state and help reduce fire conditions. Contributing: Ivy Farguheson and Carter Williams
