Wildfires burning near Cedar City and in Utah County
Jun 5, 2021, 7:30 PM
Smoke from the Mammoth Creek wildfire in the Dixie National Forest, east of Cedar City, Utah. Photo credit: Carol Wenz
SALT LAKE CITY — There are several wildfires burning in Utah right now, including the Bennion Fire, burning in steep and rugged terrain on U.S. Forest Service land in the Manti-La Sal National Forest.
On Saturday afternoon the U.S. Forest Service reported that the terrain along with current red flag conditions is hampering containment efforts on that fire. The red flag conditions include high winds and extremely dry conditions.
#BennionCreekFire is at approx. 350 acres, with 0% containment, burning through sagebrush, mountain mahogany and pinyon juniper. The wildfire is burning in very remote, rugged terrain. Red flag weather conditions are making containment efforts challenging. #usfsss
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) June 6, 2021
Smoke is visible from this fire in surrounding communities as well as from Highway 6. The public is asked to avoid the fire area for their safety as well as the safety of firefighters. The Bennion fire started from natural causes.
Mammoth Creek wildfire
Mammoth creek fire, Dixie National Forest. Photo credit: Clayton Calloway, Brian Head
Officials from the Dixie National Forest told KSL that the Mammoth Creek fire is burning east of Cedar City and has burned approximately 400 acres. Early Saturday evening, Kevin Abel with the Dixie National Forest said that structures are threatened.
The Mammoth Creek Fire is being fought by ground and by air.
The Mammoth wildfire has developed approximately 10 miles east of our KICX radar and it along with its smoke plume are currently visible on its images. The fire is the green area on the left with the plume moving east into Bryce Canyon. #utwx pic.twitter.com/l8fsWhQqd3
— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) June 5, 2021
At the time of publication, the cause of this fire was unknown.
Goat Springs wildfire
A large portion, 95%, of the Goat Springs fire has been contained according to Utah Fire Info. This fire began on May 28, 2021, and reached 444 acres. According to Utah Fire Info, the Goat Springs fire was human-caused and is under investigation.
The National Weather Service predicts that hot and dry conditions will continue in Utah through midweek.
Hot and dry conditions will keep fire danger high across much of the area through at least midweek. Here are some tips to stay safe! #utwx pic.twitter.com/5vjHR2r7UD
— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) June 5, 2021
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