Latest news with #GreatBasinComplex
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘This is a tough one': Gov. Cox visits crews fighting Monroe Canyon Fire, containment drops as fire passes 55,000 acres
RICHFIELD, Utah () — Containment drops to 7% on the burning near Richfield in Sevier County, Utah. It has grown another 7,000 acres in the past 24 hours to 55,642 acres due to active winds, according to the latest information released by the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team on Friday. As of Friday, August 1 at 12:45 p.m., evacuation orders for people living in certain areas of Monroe Canyon have been lifted, according to the . Highway 24 has been opened for now but there will most likely be partial or full closures in the next few days. Currently, Burrville, parts of Poverty Flat, Magleby, Monroe Meadows, Cover mountain, Elk Country Cabins, Long Flat, Big lake, Porters and areas around Mormon Peak are under evacuation orders. Officials said they expect wind speeds to be slightly lower on Friday with gusts in the 20 mph range. Inversions have been lifting around noon each day, in turn increasing airflow into the fire. Governor visits firefighters There are about 1,217 fire personnel fighting Utah's largest wildfire of the season and officials say there are many more on standby. 'It's been a long time since we have had a fire of this magnitude that is impacting so many communities,' Governor Spencer Cox (R-Utah) said as he visited firefighters on site. 'The problem is that next 14 days don't look great with low humidity and high winds. My message to people across the state is that we can have a fire in any part of our state,… We need everyone to exercise extreme fire caution right now.' Cox added that if Utah sees another fire like this it would be much harder to fight it and strain our resources. He has also as over 100,000 acres have been burnt due to the ongoing wildfires. PREVIOUSLY: Monroe Canyon Fire grows over 11,000 acres in 24 hours, crosses 48,000 acres due to active winds Firefighting operations On Thursday, crews said the fire crossed the Bear Valley Road and pushed the fire towards Highway 24, prompting a road closure. Highway 24 will continue to remain closed for firefighter and public safety until the threat of the fire has passed. Crews had to extend their shift into the night to contain the fire along the highway, officials noted. Around Burrville, crews said they are working diligently to prepare structures and strengthen the fire line above the town. The town is currently under evacuation orders. The fire burnt sagebrush fuel types, causing the smoke column to turn black in color. Crews said they have constructed a line to the south end of this fire and will continue to build on it through the day today to protect the town. To the south of Monroe, crews continued firing operations along the Dry Creek drainage towards Spring Canyon, building off retardant lines that had been placed by aircraft over the last few days. 'When conditions allow, crews hope to utilize UAS systems to assist in firing operations to add depth to that line,' the team said in a press release. Crews around the Bagley Ranch area saw another day of spotting, where they saw pockets of new fires at a distance from the main fire, but have successfully extinguished all new starts. Suppression of such fire spots will continue in Magleby down to Manning Meadows. In the Long Flat area, crews said they re-entered the area, assessed structures, performed mop-up, and suppressed lingering hot spots. They said they are also building a fire perimeter at the foot of the hills east of Annabella and Glenwood to check up the fire if it comes down off the mountain. Power restored Power on Thursday at around 8:30 p.m. Over 3000 customers were without power since Wednesday at 3 p.m. Garkane Energy Cooperative said crews were able to make temporary repairs by reworking the lines and bracing damaged poles. There are about 12 power lines that have been completely destroyed. Latest headlines: Salt Lake City firefighters rescue several people in early morning abandoned building fire Safest Car Rankings for 2025 $1.2 million in fentanyl, heroin seized in San Juan County traffic stop Texas House committee advances GOP-friendly map Monroe Canyon Fire continues to grow amid high winds, community meeting scheduled Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Containment drops for Monroe Fire as flames claim another 5,000 acres, evacuations ordered
RICHFIELD, Utah () — The Monroe Canyon Fire burning just south of Richfield in Sevier County has claimed another 5,000 acres, bringing the total burned to 36,637, according to the latest update provided by the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team. The fire has surpassed the to become the largest wildfire of the 2025 wildfire season in the state. In the last 24 hours, firefighters lost about 5% containment on the flames that have been devastating the mountain between Koosharem and Monroe. Evacuations have been ordered for Burrville, Monroe Canyon, and parts of Poverty, according to . The Incident Management Team said high temperatures, single-digit humidities, strong gusty winds, and record-breaking low fuel moistures have caused a quick increase in fire activity. 'Timber stands saw into the evening. Due to the receptiveness of fuels, spot fires were frequent throughout the fire area,' the team reported. Flying embers created spot fires across established dozer lines in Manning, Monroe Meadows, Dry Creek, Monroe Canyon and Water Canyon, but crews were able to quickly catch them and extinguish the flames before they could become bigger problems. Fire crews said the threat of spotting still remains an issue. On Wednesday, crews will be monitoring the spread of the fire as it backs down the timber slopes into Bear Valley. The Great Basin Complex Incident Management said once the fire burns into more favorable and safer fuel types, crews will begin aggressively engaging with the fire. As of July 30, 1,052 firefighters are working to contain the Monroe Canyon Fire, which the Incident Management Team described as a 'full suppression fire' with an emphasis on protecting communities. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Fire officials will be hosting another community meeting to provide public updates on the Monroe Canyon Fire on Wednesday, July 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sorensen Administration Building on the Snow College campus (800 W 200 Street). The meeting will also be for those who are unable to attend in person. Latest headlines: Mostly sunny, hazy, hot, and breezy Wednesday Make-A-Wish Utah grants magical Disney World wish to Utah teen Caprese Smashburger Melt – A juicy favorite from the Utah Beef Council Mayoral candidate says Hurricane mayor's removal of signs is 'election interference' South Jordan man brandished knife at officers, threatened to kill them, documents say Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
400 firefighters now working on southern Utah's Pine Valley fire
PINE VALLEY, Washington County — The battle against the fire on southern Utah's Pine Valley Mountains continues Sunday with 400 firefighters now at the scene. The federal Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team took over command of the blaze, dubbed the Forsyth Fire, on Sunday. The lightning-caused fire remains 0% contained and was last mapped Saturday at 1,640 acres. At last count, 14 homes and cabins and a few outbuildings were destroyed in the wildfire. Crews Saturday 'worked to extinguish hot spots in the valley bottom while continuing structure protection efforts. Over the coming days, operations staff will continue to identify safe and effective opportunities to engage the fire directly and seek containment. Firefighter and public safety are the top priority for this incident,' the team managing the fire said in a news release. Saturday evening, residents in Pinto and Grass Valley Road were urged to evacuate, Utah Fire Info said, after the fire Saturday afternoon 'pushed over a mile north and up over the next ridge, north of Pine Valley.' It was not immediately clear how many more residents are affected. The Pine Valley community evacuation included 450 homes. Fire officials said 'unseasonably dry fuels,' low humidity and strong winds continue to contribute to fire growth. 'Yesterday the fire crossed the main road in Pine Valley and made a run up the ridgetop to the north. (Sunday) will bring a slight relief from the winds the fire has experienced since Thursday. Winds will be out of the northwest in the morning and transition to a southwest wind in the afternoon. Spotting is expected to occur outside of the fire perimeter,' the team said. Gov. Spencer Cox is visiting Pine Valley and will hold a news conference at 2 p.m.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
400 firefighters now working on southern Utah's Pine Valley fire
PINE VALLEY, Washington County — The battle against the fire on southern Utah's Pine Valley Mountains continues Sunday with 400 firefighters now at the scene. The federal Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team took over command of the blaze, dubbed the Forsyth Fire, on Sunday. The lightning-caused fire remains 0% contained and was last mapped Saturday at 1,640 acres. At last count, 14 homes and cabins and a few outbuildings were destroyed in the wildfire. Crews Saturday 'worked to extinguish hot spots in the valley bottom while continuing structure protection efforts. Over the coming days, operations staff will continue to identify safe and effective opportunities to engage the fire directly and seek containment. Firefighter and public safety are the top priority for this incident,' the team managing the fire said in a news release. Saturday evening, residents in Pinto and Grass Valley Road were urged to evacuate, Utah Fire Info said, after the fire Saturday afternoon 'pushed over a mile north and up over the next ridge, north of Pine Valley.' It was not immediately clear how many more residents are affected. The Pine Valley community evacuation included 450 homes. Fire officials said 'unseasonably dry fuels,' low humidity and strong winds continue to contribute to fire growth. 'Yesterday the fire crossed the main road in Pine Valley and made a run up the ridgetop to the north. (Sunday) will bring a slight relief from the winds the fire has experienced since Thursday. Winds will be out of the northwest in the morning and transition to a southwest wind in the afternoon. Spotting is expected to occur outside of the fire perimeter,' the team said. Gov. Spencer Cox is visiting Pine Valley and will hold a news conference at 2 p.m.
