Saddle Fire Update-July 2, 2016

For Immediate Release

July 2, 2016, 8 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 at 1,633 acres. Firefighters are progressing on all sections of the fire and containment is now 42 percent.

Rain from .10 to .25 fell over the fire again yesterday reducing the heat of the fire. The weather forecast predicts a warming trend beginning today which will dry out fuels by the beginning of next week. Although the moisture of the past two days helped reduce fire danger, it also delays burning operations that are needed to secure the uncontained portions of remaining fireline. 

Voluntary evacuations have been lifted for most of Pine Valley. A portion of Lloyd Canyon remains under a voluntary evacuation. The areas are south on Lloyd Canyon Drive at the Mahogany Lane intersection and south on Oakridge Drive and Mahogany Lane.

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

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 553 personnel, along with engines, heavy equipment and aircraft helping to suppress the fire. The fire remains most active in the Lloyd and Forsyth canyons.

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.

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Recreation Area in the Dixie National Forest remains under an indefinite area closure to all uses until the order is rescinded.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/.

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.