Latest news with #ForsythFire
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Monsoonal storms helping Utah firefighters, but dry conditions in the forecast
Firefighters are taking advantage of help from Mother Nature as they look to quell several wildfires still burning across Utah. Monsoonal storms returned to the state over the last few days, producing isolated showers that have conveniently parked over some of the firefighting operations. About 0.72 inches of rain fell over the Forsyth Fire in northern Washington County on Thursday, while 0.20 inches of rain fell on Monroe Mountain on Wednesday, followed by 0.25 to 0.63 inches of rain in the Fish Lake and Cove Fort areas, all close to the Monroe Canyon Fire. That's helped slow down fire activity, giving firefighters an upper hand after weeks of hot, dry and windy conditions. Crews began establishing direct fire lines in parts of the Monroe Canyon Fire in recent days, aided by 'cooler, wetter weather conditions,' according to the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team overseeing operations. While the fire remained 0% contained on Friday, its size remained at 8,646 acres, similar to what was reported on Wednesday. Forsyth Fire growth was 'minimal' on Thursday because of the thunderstorm, federal firefighters added in an update of the fire. It is now 84% contained after burning 15,662 acres. Cloud cover and cooler temperatures also helped firefighters make 'good progress' on the Deer Creek Fire burning in San Juan County and southwest Colorado. It has burned 15,819 acres, but is now 11% contained. 'We are fortunate that the monsoonal moisture did hit our larger fires, and is helping us out,' Kelly Wickens, public information officer for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, told on Friday. In addition to rain, Wickens points out that monsoons provide cooler weather that helps 'moderate' fire behavior. That gives firefighters a better chance to increase fire suppression efforts and carry out activities, such as digging containment lines to control the fire's growth. All of these can move faster because the fire isn't spreading as quickly. Monsoonal moisture to linger More isolated showers are expected on Friday across the state as a high-pressure system over the Texas panhandle and a low-pressure system off the Pacific Coast near the California-Mexico border help pump oceanic moisture into the Southwest, including Utah, said KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson. Storms will likely start in the mountains before moving into the valleys, especially by Friday afternoon. Clouds over the Wasatch Front Friday morning could lower the potential of storms bubbling up in the area, he said. Johnson said more scattered showers are possible Saturday and Sunday, especially in southern Utah. It's unclear how productive any of the storms will be because it depends on how much moisture remains in the atmosphere and where a storm sets up, which is one of the challenges of forecasting monsoons. 'It just depends. It's hard for models to resolve exactly where these storms might land,' Johnson said, adding that Thursday's totals provide an example of how productive the storms can be. Monsoons can pose some problems, too. A flash flood warning was issued in the Pine Valley area on Thursday over potential debris flows from the fire's burn scar. Flash flooding is possible again in slot canyons, dry washes and recent burn scars over the next few days, the National Weather Service advises. Storms may also produce lightning that can start new fires. Drier conditions on deck The additional moisture could be short-lived, though. Hot and dry conditions are forecast to return to the state by early next week. Long-range models indicate that monsoonal moisture could be 'spotty' through the rest of July, state officials noted earlier this week. That's why firefighters are racing to take advantage of monsoon benefits while they still can. 'It can definitely heat back up, and we'll be right in the same situation that we were before the monsoonal moisture,' Wickens said. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Terrain drives Forsyth Fire to grow another 775 acres, surpassing 15,000 acres burned
PINE VALLEY, Utah () — The Forsyth Fire that is burning near Pine Valley in Washington County grew another 775 acres as firefighters continue to struggle with difficult terrain in the area. The spread occurred on the southern edge of the fire, where crews are focusing aircraft and ground efforts. Smoke also increased over the last 24 hours as winds pushed the fire into unburned fuel. As hot and dry weather is expected to continue into the weekend, fire officials are expecting fire behavior to continue to increase. The lightning-caused fire sparked on June 19 and has since burned 15,363 acres. Despite the over 770-acre growth, firefighters still hold 58% containment on the flames. The United States Forest Service reports that 589 fire personnel are on scene battling the fire. Delta brings new nonstop service to South America from Salt Lake International Airport A Stage 1 fire restriction remains in place for Washington, Iron and surrounding counties. A forest closure order has also been issued for the Pine Valley Ranger District. The Pine Valley, Grass Valley, and Gray's Ranch communities remain in a 'ready' status for evacuation, meaning residents should begin preparations for evacuations, should one be issued. The U.S. Forest Service notes that Pinto is no longer under any evacuation status. Schumer presses RFK Jr. to declare measles emergency DOJ subpoenas clinics that provide trans care to minors Poor Utah air quality may be even more dangerous than previously believed, research shows New York Republican urges Trump to restore funding for after-school programs Terrain drives Forsyth Fire to grow another 775 acres, surpassing 15,000 acres burned Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Forsyth fire crosses 9,550 acres, evacuation orders for to be downgraded
PINE VALLEY, Utah () — The , that has been burning for a week now, has consumed 9,665 acres and is at 5% containment, according to the latest update from the . A community meeting was held Thursday, June 26, and it was only open to residents of Pine Valley, Grass Valley and Gray's Ranch. All three communities are under evacuation orders. Residents of Pinto are still on standby. Officials said that a recording of the meeting will be available after the meeting on the Dixie National Forest Facebook page. At the community meeting, Washington County Sheriff's Department announced that evacuation orders for the communities of Pine Valley, Grass Valley, and Grassy Flats will be downgraded from 'go' status to 'set' status Friday at 10 a.m. Residents will be able to return to their homes starting at that time, but they will still need to be ready to evacuate again if conditions worsen. According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, as the weather continues to warm up, everything is drying out. This combined with the difficult terrain, is making it hard to fight the fire. About 509 personnel are battling the fire. PREVIOUSLY: Forsyth Fire continues to spread, reaches nearly 9,000 acres, 5% contained The containment is a portion of the south side of the town of Pine Valley, represented in the map below with a black thick line. Officials also addressed concerns about this taking as long as it is to build containment. They say that the Saddle Fire of 2016 burned for 7 weeks before getting 100% containment and burned approximately 2,200 acres. Depending on the weather and fuels on the ground, the Washington County Sheriff's Office has asked the community to be patient as firefighters 'push themselves so hard trying to get the entire town contained to relieve the danger.' What is a red flag warning anyway? Wildland firefighting terminologies explained Kelly Wickens, Prevention Specialist for Forestry Fire State Lands, State of Utah, mean in an interview with 'When we talk about percentages, say the fire is 10% contained, that means that around the perimeter of the fire, we believe that 10% of that perimeter is secure,' Wickens said. 'So, we do not think that the fire will cross in that area, so that means we are confident that in that area, that the fire will no longer progress.' A warming trend is expected to continue through the weekend, bringing elevated fire weather conditions. According to the U.S. Forest Service, with the change of storms on Monday and Tuesday, they may not only bring precipitation, but can also produce dry lightning with gusty winds, leading to increased fire behavior and the potential for new fires. According to Mike Johnston, Incident Commander of the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 7, whose team is leading the fight against the Forsyth Fire, said they are working along the Lloyd Canyon ridgeline and will remain in place for the next several days to help secure the southwestern flank. On the northeast end of the fire near Grass Valley, crews were able to build handline along the fire's edge tying it into the West Valley Fire scar, officials said. Following successful firing operations around the summer home community, firefighters are now focused on mop-up and securing the edge in that area. Mopping up the fire . We will be liveblogging the latest updates below. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Forsyth Fire impacting lives of ranchers in southern Utah
PINE VALLEY, Utah () — The Forsyth Fire hasn't just threatened homes, it's also disrupted a way of life that families have known for decades. Pine Valley is a tight-knit ranch town where generations of families have made a living off of the land. But as the Forsyth Fire burns through the area, many ranchers are facing both a difficult and emotional challenge. Larry Gardiner, who lives in Pine Valley, says this isn't just where they work. It's where they live, where they raise their cattle and where they've built their entire lives, spending all 76 of their years there. Forsyth Fire burning over 7,000 acres, still at 0% containment He and his neighbors have been working nonstop either protecting cattle where they are or moving them from Pine Valley to Grass Valley, only to have the fire force them to move again. 'It's a hardship,' Gardiner said. 'People were coming in yesterday, day before yesterday, getting their cattle here and moving them to Grass Valley. Then the fire went to Grass Valley, so they'll move them and keep them out of harm's way.' The Utah Department of Agriculture said in a statement to ABC4 that there is an Emergency Disaster Relief Loan Program available for those who have been impacted. They are also coordinating with the Division of Wildlife Resources to help producers find grazing land. They say there isn't much land available in southern Utah but are reaching out to affected ranchers in the area with updates. Diego Luna named to MLS All-Star team again Republicans report progress, but no deal on critical SALT issue Fireworks Safety: Celebrate the holidays safely Navajo Nation man charged for shooting death of man in Southern Utah John Collins exercises $26.5 option with Jazz Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Lightning caused nearly 9,000-acre Forsyth Fire in Utah, officials say
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah – The Forsyth Fire continues to burn thousands of acres in Utah and was officially started by a lightning strike, officials said. Firefighters have been battling the wildfire since it was discovered on June 19. It has now burned 8,899 acres and is uncontained. The Dixie National Forest division of the U.s. Forest Service announced Tuesday that the fire was caused when lightning hit a tree. During the initial attack on the fire, the incident commander discovered a tree that was hit by lightning near the fire's point of origin in the Pine Valley Wilderness Area. An investigation into the cause showed thunderstorms came through the area June 9 – just 10 days before the fire was discovered. Evaluation of the tree proved that the lightning strike hit the base of the tree, igniting a fire within the tree's trunk. Bolts From The Blue: How Dangerous Lightning Can Strike Miles Away From Thunderstorms The U.S. Forest Service said these types of lightning strikes are so hot, they vaporize any sap and moisture in the tree, starting a very slow smoldering fire that burns from the inside out. Because the fire was contained inside the tree, it went undetected until strong winds Thursday increased fire activity, finally revealing smoke. Which States Have The Most Lightning Insurance Claims? Quickly after discovery, fire crews worked to try and stop the fire spreading. High temperatures, extremely low humidity and high winds caused the fire to make a swift run toward Pine Valley. The Washington County Sheriff reported Monday that 13 homes have been destroyed by the fire. Nearly 700 fire personnel are responding to the Forsyth article source: Lightning caused nearly 9,000-acre Forsyth Fire in Utah, officials say
