Main Canyon Fire, Sept. 13, 2016

Main Canyon Fire

Note: Get the latest fire updates on Twitter @UtahWildfire

PINE VALLEY, Utah – The 26-acre Main Canyon Fire remained at 50 percent contained in the Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness, in the Pine Valley Ranger District, Dixie National Forest.

Fire crews cleared fuels from around the perimeter of the fire and monitored the fire during high wind events, helping to maintain the objectives of protecting nearby private lands and homes, along with protecting the Bonneville cutthroat trout habitat.

Stopping the spread of the fire into heavier fuels also helped reduce the amount of smoke and haze in the Pine Valley area.

Crews and other resources were released from the Main Canyon Fire as the Color Country Interagency Type III Incident Management Team prepares to return the fire to units within the Pine Valley Ranger District, U.S. Forest Service, no later than the morning of Sept. 14. As of Sept. 13, there are 53 personnel assigned to the fire.

Due to the hazards and potential threat of the fire, the U.S. Forest Service issued a temporary closure of some trails and roads, starting Sept. 11 to ensure public safety. Closed are the Water Canyon Trail No. 31024 and 31013; and Forest Service roads 2113, 2114, 3396, 565, 255, 252 and 011.

Fire investigators determined lightning started the fire, likely striking days before, which ignited fuel in the vegetation beneath the main canopy of a forest. The fire eventually grew to where it could be seen and reported. The fire was initially reported Sept. 9.

The steep and rocky terrain and dense (live and dead) vegetation, including: aspen, mixed conifer, Ponderosa pine, pinyon, juniper and mountain shrubs, slowed suppression efforts. 

For further information please follow the Dixie National Forest on Facebook, Twitter, and utahfireinfo.gov.

###

Main Canyon Fire Facts

Fire Size/Containment: 26 acres/50 percent contained.

Cause: Lightning strike on an undetermined date. Fire first reported Sept. 9, 2016.

Location: Approximately five miles north from the town of Pine Valley in the Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness of the Dixie National Forest, Pine Valley Ranger District.

Structures Threatened: Private ranch and home approximately 0.5 miles from the southwest edge of the fire.

Closures: Water Canyon Trail No. 31024 and 31013; and Forest Service roads 2113, 2114, 3396, 565, 255, 252 and 011.

Fire Information: Pine Valley Post Office and Pine Valley Fire Station.

Incident Management: Chris Henrie, incident commander, Color Country Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team.

Evacuations: None.

Estimated Costs to Date: Approximately $550,000.

Fuels/terrain: Heavy dead and downed timber and brush, in steep and rocky terrain.

Fire Resources Assigned: 1 Type II initial attack crews; 1 initial attack squad; 1 Type III helicopter; 2 engines; 53 total personnel assigned.

Injuries: None.

Get the latest fire updates on social media.

Twitter: @UtahWildfire & @usfsdnf

Facebook: www.facebook.com/usfsdnf

Christian Venhuizen
Public Affairs Officer
Color Country District, Bureau of Land Management
Ph: 435-994-9353
web: http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en.html
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BLMUtah/
Twitter: twitter.com/BLMUtah