France Canyon Fire burning over 23,000 acres in Dixie National Forest

SALT LAKE CITY – The France Canyon Fire is burning 23,353 acres in the Dixie National Forest, fire officials said Monday.

According to a joint release from the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team, the USDA and the Forest Service, the fire was 10% contained by Monday morning.

Fire officials said there were 749 personnel working on fighting the flames.

Related: Forsyth Fire grows to 7045 acres, evacuations remain in place in southern Utah

Fire restrictions, road closures

According to the release, all “unincorporated private and all state lands within Washington, Kane, AND Garfield Counties are in a Stage 1 Fire Restriction.”

Bryce Canyon National Park was also under a Stage 1 Fire Restriction on Sunday. The release said private lands are not affected by the order.

“Fire restrictions help to limit activities on public lands that are known to be the most common causes of wildfires,” the release said.

Fire officials said those traveling along Highway 12 should plan for delays and reduced speeds, as “heavy smoke impacts” are expected due to wind. Fire officials said seven to 10 mph winds from the southwest are expected Sunday, with possible gusts as fast as 20 mph.

According to the release, some road closures are in place due to the fire from June 16 through July 31, “or until rescinded.”

“All National Forest System lands south of Utah State Route 12, on the Powell Ranger District, with the exception of the trails and campgrounds (Red Canyon Campground, Red Canyon Bike Trail #33016, Castle Bridge Trail #33096, Golden Wall Trail #33095, and Forest Road 113 in Red Canyon. The East Fork Road (087) remains closed,” the release said.

Operations

According to the release, fire crews could not battle the flames by air due to afternoon winds.

Crews were working to clear vegetation around power lines and creating a fire line “on the northern flank” near Wilson Peak and the Hillsdale and Johnson Canyons, according to the release.

On the eastern portion of the fire, crews were reportedly reinforcing containment lines Sunday, “and work to harden the area around Kings Creek Campground.”

Along the southern edge, crews were working to strengthen containment lines, “preparing for a possible firing operation to secure the fire line north of the Bryce Woodland neighborhood.”

The release said on the western perimeter, crews were working to “improve holding features to hold the fire east of the Hatch.”

For updates on the France Canyon Fire, click here.