Where things stand on wildfires burning in Utah
Jul 15, 2022, 5:22 PM | Updated: Aug 2, 2022, 10:34 am
FILE: Crews battle the Apple Valley Fire, which sparked Tuesday afternoon in southern Utah. Photo credit: Chaice Moyes
SALT LAKE CITY — Firefighters across Utah got some help from the weather this week, as temperatures cooled a bit and cloud cover along with monsoon moisture rolled in. Still there are several wildfires that are being fought across Utah.
Here’s where things stand on the major wildfires burning in Utah.
Halfway Hill fire, Millard County
The largest fire burning in Utah on Friday, July 15 is the Halfway Hill Fire in Millard County. Utah fire officials report this fire has burned nearly 12,000 acres. This fire was discovered on July 8, and is believed to be human-caused. At the date of publication, the Halfway Hill fire was 15% contained.
Despite cooler temperatures and cloud cover, 510 fire personnel remain on the scene fighting the Halfway Hill fire.
According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Utah Division of Natural Resources, there is some progress being made on the Halfway Hill Fire. In particular, officials say firefighters are containing the western edge of the fire perimeter.
They continue to use hand tools on the southern perimeter to build the fireline. Fire suppression efforts also continue on the western and southern perimeters of the fire.
Community meeting on Friday night
The Incident Management Team, along with community leaders and representatives of the various federal agencies involved in fire suppression at the Halfway Hill fire will provide information to local residents on Friday night, July 15, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the City of Fillmore’s North Park Pavilion at 460 North Main.
The meeting will also be broadcast live via Facebook at this link.
Jacob City fire, Tooele County
The Jacob City Fire has burned more than 4,100 acres since it began on July 9, 2022. It is believed to have been human-caused and at publication date the Jacob City Fire was 35% contained.
According to Utah fire officials, progress has been made against the fire near Edwards Pass, south of Soldier Creek, and north of Bald Mountain. Several helicopter missions were planned for Friday to assist in moving cargo and crews to needed areas of the fire. Portions of the Jacob City fire are burning in what officials call steep and rugged terrain on the eastern and southeastern edges of the Jacob City Fire. To assist firefighters and and to make a safer working environment for them, fire officials said a team of highly experienced crews will begin removing dead trees in the steepest of terrains.
Officials report that while rain this week was helpful in providing moisture in areas of juniper and scrub oak, the rain at higher elevations did not reach the ground because of the heavy tree canopy.
Officials say they expect more help with the fire from monsoonal moisture next week.
Late Friday evening, officials announced a public meeting will be held Monday evening. The meeting is in regards to the Jacob City fire and potential flooding from monsoon rain. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Hill fire, Utah County
The blaze in Utah County ignited Thursday afternoon and is more than half contained. This fire was caused by lightning.
#uwcnf Spanish Fork Ranger District, #HillFire update 10.9 acres, 75% contained. Fire is located on north side of Highway 6 west of Billies Mountain, smoldering in grass and brush. Lightning caused, fire personnel are continuing to finish building line and extinguish hot spots.
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 15, 2022
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