For Immediate Release
June 26, 2016, 8 a.m.
Dixie National Forest -
Saddle Fire Update
PINE VALLEY, Utah – The
Saddle Fire grew to 1,234 acres Sunday, while air tankers and heavy helicopters
used 22,000 gallons of retardant Saturday to prevent the fire from moving onto
the southern face of the Saddle Mountain, helping firefighters focus on
suppressing the fire before it can impact the town of Pine Valley.
The aerial bombardment painted a line of
retardant on the south ridges similar to what was done on the southwest portion
of the mountain a week ago.
Additionally, helicopters dropped water directly
on the fire to slow it down and giving firefighters an added edge in preparing
suppression efforts, in an ongoing effort to confine the fire to as little of
the mountain as possible. With the fire burning in areas filled with
unnecessary risk and hazards to firefighters, fire managers believe a
significant moisture event is needed for multiple days to extinguish the blaze.
Fire crews work day and night, as personnel grew
to 625 firefighters and supporting resources. While day crews improve fuel
breaks and scout the terrain, night crews, including engines and hotshots
patrol areas threatened by the fire, prepared to pick up spot fires and
encroaching flames if needed.
Property owners are still asked by the Washington
County Sheriff’s Office to voluntarily evacuate Pine Valley, limiting the
number of people in the area threatened by fire. Fire crews identified 500
properties that are threatened.
Those that do not own property in Pine Valley
are asked to stay out of the area. The Pine Valley Recreation Area in the Dixie
National Forest remains under an area closure to all uses until the order is
rescinded (http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/4794/31098/). Those wanting more information about the
closure should contact the Dixie National Forest.
The
Saddle Fire began June 13 with lightning 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. It is burning in heavy, dead and
downed timber and brush and is surrounded by very steep, inaccessible, rocky
terrain.
A
fire information center has been established at the Pine Valley Fire Station.
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) 634-5700 for assistance.
FIRE BEHAVIOR: The fire remains most active in the Lloyd and
Forsyth canyons, burning mostly in the downed logs and underbrush in the
conifer stands. Fire growth will continue to the east, northeast and southeast
in Lloyd Canyon with limited spread to the northwest and west. Areas with live,
green oak and mahogany are limiting the spread of the fire.
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