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Monday, July 11, 2016

Saddle Fire Update, July 11, 2016

For Immediate Release
July 11, 2016, 8:30 a.m.
Contact: Saddle Fire Information (435) 590-2736 or (435) 680-0354


Dixie National Forest - Saddle Fire Update

PINE VALLEY, Utah The Saddle fire is 2,295 acres and 45 percent contained.
The Saddle Fire public meeting has been changed from Monday evening to Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at 7 p.m. at the Pine Valley Fire Station, 680 East Main Street in Pine Valley. The date change was made in order to meet the needs of the Pine Valley community.
The Saddle Fire experienced minimal control issues despite wind gusts above 30 mph yesterday due to the hard work put in by both our ground and aerial resources. Members of nearby communities can expect to see continued fire activity and smoke impacts from unburned islands of vegetation being consumed within the fire perimeter.
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 when needed to prevent further spread. Fire resources continue to monitor direct and indirect control lines near the Pine Valley community.  
At approximately 6:30 p.m. last night the Saddle Fire experienced a fifth drone intrusion on the temporary flight restriction (TFR) in the fire area. The current TFR has a radius of five nautical miles around a centralized point on the fire. Non-cooperating aircraft is kept out of the fire area due to the nature of aerial fire management activities for both the safety of fire personnel and the public.
Significant portions of the fire are unable to be staffed by ground firefighters due to hazardous terrain. Aerial resources, such as helicopters, have been used to monitor these sites and treat as necessary. Due to the risk drones introduce, all aerial operations cease when one is spotted and do not resume until it is determined safe to continue operations. 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
There are 211 personnel assigned. Resources include hand crews, fire engines, heavy equipment and aircraft.  
Voluntary evacuations are currently in place in Pine Valley south on Lloyd Canyon Drive at the Mahogany Lane intersection and south on Oakridge Drive and Mahogany Lane. Closures in the Pine Valley Recreation area, including campgrounds, are being lifted but trails in the immediate fire area will remain closed to the public.

For further information please follow the Dixie National Forest on Facebook, Twitter, and InciWeb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4794/

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