Fire update from EM Coordinator Peter Kuhlmann, Washington County Emergency System

Update from EM Coordinator Peter Kuhlmann, Washington County Emergency ServicesAGENCY

West Valley Fire Update

WEST VALLEY FIRE Pine Valley, Utah – The West Valley Fire saw significant growth yesterday, reaching approximately 7,200 acres in size. It remains at 0% containment. Fire investigators have determined the fire to be human-caused, from an abandoned campfire. The fire is being managed for full suppression. Yesterday, the fire burned aggressively to the northeast until it hit the Mill Flat Fire scar (from 2009). The decreased fuels in the old fire scar slowed the fire’s north-northeast progression. The fire continues to move slowly through that area. The community of New Harmony is not threatened at this time. A dozer, four engines, and two Type 1 handcrews are working in the New Harmony area, improving the existing fuel break and creating indirect line, should the fire push further in that direction. Smokejumpers are working near the origin of the fire, using direct attack to hold the south flank. There has been little to no growth near the anchor of the fire. There are no evacuations at this time and no structures imminently threatened. Approximately 10 homes on private land, near the Mill Flat Trailhead are potentially threatened; structure protection is in place as a precaution. These structures are located approximately 2 miles from the fireline. The Pine Valley Campground and Pine Valley Reservoir remain open. A temporary area closure has been put in place by the Dixie National Forest. The closure is from the Forest boundary west of New Harmony, and specifically lying west of Forest Road 029, the National Forest Boundary and the Pine Valley Wilderness Boundary, North of Pine Valley Wilderness Boundary, the Summit Trail and the Canal Trail, East of the Forest Road 011, and South of Forest Road 009. Forest Road 011 and Forest Road 035 to 4011 are closed. The Red Flag warning remains in effect until midnight on Saturday. This hot, dry and windy weather is expected to create containment challenges for firefighters. Aerial support was grounded most of yesterday due to strong winds. Aircraft remains available today, its use is dependent on favorable winds and safe flight conditions. Smoke will be highly visible throughout much of Iron and Washington Counties. West Valley Fire is located three miles northeast of Pine Valley Campground on the Dixie National Forest. It was reported on June 27, 2018. Resources assigned: Engines: 8 Handcrews: 6 Heavy Air Tankers: 3 Single Engine Air Tankers (SEAT): 4 Helicopters: 9 Air attack platforms: 2 Fire Managers have asked us to emphasize that they do not need any food or supplies. If people want to donate, Thank You notes for the firefighters are always appreciated. Or they can donate to their local Volunteer Fire Departments, who are all assisting with the fire. They can also donate money to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.