Monroe Canyon Fire surpasses 70,000 acres as thunderstorms bring possibility of lightning
Aug 9, 2025, 8:34 PM
Helicopters fighting the Monroe Canyon Fire in Sevier County, Utah are pictured on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. (Mark Less, KSL TV)
(Mark Less, KSL TV)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Monroe Canyon Fire, the largest in Utah and burning in both Piute and Sevier counties, has officially surpassed 70,000 acres, the National Interagency Coordination Center for wildfires reported Saturday morning.
Despite the continued growth, containment has improved to 26% — up from 19% the day before.
Map shows the extent of the Monroe Canyon Fire as of Saturday morning, Aug. 9, 2025. (National Interagency Coordination Center)
The agency said dry thunderstorms were possible over the weekend, and crews were watching out for lightning strikes. But a positive of that weather system is that humidity rose to 30% over Friday Night and Saturday morning, which helped with firefighting efforts.
Officials said that winds were expected to shift over the Monroe Canyon Fire over the weekend, which could also prove helpful: The Coordination Center said winds could push the west and north edges of the fire back into itself.
The Fishlake National Forest continues to see area closures as a result of the fire. Information on the areas closed can be found on the U.S. Forest Service’s website.
Information on current evacuations can also be found on the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office website.
