Saddle Fire Update-June 29, 2016

For Immediate Release

June 29, 2016, 8:30 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 increased 70 acres to 1,540.  Firefighters are progressing on all sections of the fire and the containment is eight percent.

Crews continue to use ground and aerial ignition operations as well as direct and indirect line construction. These operations are removing fuels from the path of the fire in order to prevent the fire from spreading east toward the Pine Valley Recreation Area and south toward the Dammeron Valley area, while still providing protection to the Pine Valley community.

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

There are 731 personnel, along with engines, heavy equipment and aircraft helping to suppress the fire. Besides direct attack, day crews improved indirect lines while night crews conducted firing operations, area patrols 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 only open to property owners.

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Recreation Area in the Dixie National Forest remains under an indefinite area closure to all uses until the order is rescinded.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) 634-5734 for assistance.

###