Saddle Fire Update-July 10, 2016

For Immediate Release

July 10, 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 is 2,291 acres and 42 percent contained.

A community meeting regarding the status of the Saddle Fire will be held Monday, July 11, 2016 at 7 p.m. at the Pine Valley Fire Station, 680 East Main Street in Pine Valley.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones) continue to be a problem on the Saddle Fire. Each time a drone is sighted in the fire area all air operations are grounded until it is determined safe to fly again. We encourage the public to learn about Unmanned Aircraft System regulations and safe use of drones by visiting www.knowbeforeyoufly.org. If you fly, we can’t and the safety of our firefighters is greatly affected.

Unburned islands of vegetation continue to burn inside of current control lines. Members of nearby communities can expect to see continued fire activity and smoke impacts. Increased fire behavior may occur today with the passing cold front producing strong erratic winds.

Crews are beginning to mop up and extinguish hot spots along accessible areas of the fire perimeter. Aerial resources continue to monitor inaccessible areas of the fire using fire retardant to keep it from spreading beyond the natural barriers on the main ridge south of Pine Valley and the 2005 Dammeron fire scar. Fire resources continue to monitor direct and indirect control lines around the north and west portions of the fire near the Pine Valley community.  

There are 228 personnel assigned. Resources include hand crews, fire engines, heavy equipment and aircraft.  

Voluntary evacuations are still in place in Pine Valley south on Lloyd Canyon Drive at the Mahogany Lane intersection and south on Oakridge Drive and Mahogany Lane.

The Pine Valley Recreation Area in the Dixie National Forest remains closed to public until safety concerns are mitigated. 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 lighting caused Saddle Fire began June 13 on Saddle Mountain approximately two miles south 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.