Saddle Fire Update- June 28, 2016

For Immediate Release

June 28, 2016, 9:30 a.m.

Contact: Saddle Fire Information (435) 590-2736 or (435) 680-0354 Email: saddlefireinfo@gmail.com

Dixie National Forest - Saddle Fire Update

PINE VALLEY, Utah – The Saddle Fire grew by 141 acres to 1,470 acres yesterday.  Firefighters continue to make progress on all sections of the Saddle fire.

Fire crews are using ground and aerial ignition operations, including a plastic sphere dispenser (http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/aerial_ign/plsphere/describe.htm) to remove fuels from the path of the fire in order to prevent the fire from spreading eastwardly toward the Pine Valley Recreation Area and south towards Dammeron Valley area.

An attack strategy in Forsyth Canyon includes indirect firing operations using control lines in Forsyth Canyon, natural barriers on the main ridge, and utilizing the 2005 Dammeron fire scare to the south.

There are 731 personnel, engines, heavy equipment and aircraft helping to suppress the fire. The Saddle fire remains at five percent contained. Besides direct attack, day crews improved fuel breaks and scouted the terrain, while night crews patrolled and monitored the fire area to pick up any spot fires.

The fire remains most active in the Lloyd and Forsyth canyons. Voluntary evacuations remain in place for Pine Valley, and the road into Pine Valley is open to property owners at this time.

The Pine Valley Recreation Area in the Dixie National Forest remains under an indefinite area closure to all uses until the order is rescinded. Those wanting more information about the area closure should contact the Dixie National Forest or view the following link: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/4794/31098/.

The Saddle Fire began June 13 with a lighting strike on Saddle Mountain in the Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness of the Dixie National Forest. The fire started approximately 2.5 miles south west of Pine Valley, Utah.

For further information please follow the Dixie National Forest on Facebook, Twitter, and InciWeb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4794/. Residents may also sign up for Everbridge to receive notifications from the Washington County Emergency Alert System by http://911register.com/. Those experiencing problems with online registration may call (435) 634-5700 for assistance.

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