ST. GEORGE – Firefighters  made progress Sunday on the MGC Complex lightning-caused fires – the Middle Ridge Fire of July 1, the Cottonwood Fire of July 3, and the Greek Peak Fire of July 2.

The Greek Peak Fire, southwest of Enterprise Reservoir and originally managed by Color Country Interagency Fire Management Center in Southern Utah, was added to the MGC Complex managed by the Eastern Nevada Interagency Center at 6 a.m. Sunday under the direction of John Kidd’s Type 2 Incident Management Team.

While hiking out of the Greek Peak Fire area Sunday, firefighters detected a new fire, Fire Information Officer Jesse Bender said in a statement released Sunday evening.  Estimated at less than a quarter of an acre, the fire was quickly extinguished.

All three fires received varying amounts of precipitation again Sunday and minimal fire activity was observed.  Isolated, scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms can be expected to persist throughout the week.

The slow-moving storms present a flood hazard, particularly in recently burned areas.

With increased fire traffic throughout the vicinity, fire officials ask that members of the public drive cautiously, particularly when utilizing backcountry roads.  The safety of the public and firefighters is the number one priority on all wildland fires.   

Bender issued the following updates on the MGC Complex Sunday night:

Middle Ridge Fire – 10,343 acres, 30 percent contained

Located about 30 miles southeast of Panaca, Nevada, the Middle Ridge Fire received significant rainfall today.  Tomorrow, rehabilitation work will begin on about 5 miles of fireline that was created by dozers during the initial stages of fire suppression.  Areas heavily scorched will be seeded to encourage regrowth of native plant species.

Cottonwood Fire – 1,205 acres, 60 percent contained             

A significant wind event occurred over the Cottonwood Fire area today with gusts of up to 45 miles per hour observed.  The fireline held with little increased fire activity during this time.  Two firefighters were treated for dehydration today but are recovering in fire camp.  The Cottonwood Fire is approximately 18 miles northeast of Panaca, Nevada.

Greek Peak Fire – 761 acres, 80 percent contained

Two crews are still assigned to the Greek Peak Fire but are expected to be released by the end of tomorrow.  Beginning Tuesday, the fire, which is located about 15 miles southwest of Enterprise Reservoir in Utah, will be monitored by resources daily.

Resources Currently Assigned	Helicopters	Engines	Crews	Dozers	Total Personnel
	5	11	15	2	472

Other recent fires in Southern Utah – Arizona Strip

As of Monday morning, Utah Fire Info lists the Bull Mountain Fire, a 435-acre fire 3 miles north of Enterprise Reservoir, at 92 percent containment, creeping and smoldering with minimal fire activity. That fire started July 2 by lightning strike.

The Gulch Fire, a 352-acre fire 17  miles south of St. George, is listed at 100 percent containment. That fire was also lightning-caused on July 2.

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