ST. GEORGE — A fire on the western flank of the Pine Valley Mountains has grown to over 100 acres. The blaze is one of three fires started by a thunderstorm which swept the area Saturday and Sunday.
Read more: Lightning-caused Aspen wildfire continues to burn.
The “Saddle Fire” was first reported on Monday and is currently 103 acres in size. Located 2 1/2 miles southwest from the town of Pine Valley, the fire is located in steep, remote terrain, Color Country Public Information Officer Marcia Gilles said. When initially reported, the Saddle Fire was less than one acre in size.
Ranger Joe Rechsteiner, Pine Valley District, said the higher humidity and moisture that often accompany thunderstorms can cause fires to remain unseen for several days. Known as “holdover lightning fires,” the smoke from these fires are often not visible until the onset of dry weather, wind and higher temperatures.
“Sometimes, the fires, they need the wind and the heat to kind of pick them up,” Gilles said, “and that’s why you see them pop up two days later.”
Due to the remote location and rugged terrain, no ground units are being used, she said.
According to the U.S. Forest Service – Dixie National Forest Facebook page, “The average slope is 15-26% with a max of 60% on the Saddle Fire, located in the Pine Valley Wilderness Area. Limited access with dangerous terrain is being assessed for suppression operations.”
Helicopters making water bucket drops are being used to fight the Saddle Fire, Gilles said.
Since the Saddle Fire is in the Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness, there is currently no worry about the fire causing damage to structures or homes in the area.
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Aerial view of the Saddle Fire taken when the blaze was initially reported, Pine Valley Mountains Wilderness, June 13, 2016 | Photo courtesy Color Country Interagency Fire Center, St. George News The Saddle Fire on the west side of the Pine Valley Mountains has grown to over 100 acres in size, Grass Valley, Utah, June 16, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Color Country Interagency Fire Center, St. George News Map showing where the three fires currently being fought in the Color Country Fire District are located, June 16, 2016 | Image courtesy of Color Country Interagency Fire Center, St. George News The Saddle Fire on the west side of the Pine Valley Mountains has grown to over 100 acres in size, Central, Utah, June 16, 2016 | Photo by Don Gilman, St. George News The Saddle Fire on the west side of the Pine Valley Mountains has grown to over 100 acres in size, Central, Utah, June 16, 2016 | Photo by Don Gilman, St. George News
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It appears that some clown has flown a drone over the wildfire and grounded all fire flight crews.
Seriously, people! Decent vocabulary fails me… There are lives at risk here.
Here is our report on that, Anejo.
https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2016/06/19/djg-drone-flying-over-fires-causes-firefighting-planes-to-be-grounded-dixie-national-forest/
ST. GEORGE NEWS / CEDAR CITY NEWS
Joyce Kuzmanic
Editor in Chief