Smoke rises from controlled burn near the Virgin River Monday morning, Washington City, Utah, May 8, 2017 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
WASHINGTON – Smoke and stench filled neighborhoods and the area surrounding the Virgin River east of Pine View Park in Washington City Monday morning.
At approximately 10:45 a.m., St. George News received a tip that a column of black smoke was rising in the sky.
There was no cause for alarm, however, as the smoke was generated by a controlled burn of tamarisk and other brush in the riverbed, an emergency dispatcher confirmed.
The fire was still burning at noon, but appeared to be waning.
Washington City Fire Department was monitoring the blaze and was not available to comment as this report publishes.
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Column of smoke rises from controlled burn in Washington, Utah, May 8, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Summer Kirby, St. George News
Smoke rises from controlled burn near the Virgin River Monday morning, Washington City, Utah, May 8, 2017 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
Smoke rises from controlled burn near the Virgin River Monday morning, Washington City, Utah, May 8, 2017 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
Smoke rises from controlled burn near the Virgin River Monday morning, Washington City, Utah, May 8, 2017 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
Smoke rises from controlled burn near the Virgin River Monday morning, Washington City, Utah, May 8, 2017 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
Smoke rises from controlled burn near the Virgin River Monday morning, Washington City, Utah, May 8, 2017 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
Smoke rises from controlled burn near the Virgin River Monday morning, Washington City, Utah, May 8, 2017 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
Smoke rises from controlled burn near the Virgin River Monday morning, Washington City, Utah, May 8, 2017 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
Smoke rises from controlled burn near the Virgin River Monday morning, Washington City, Utah, May 8, 2017 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
Smoke rises from controlled burn near the Virgin River Monday morning, Washington City, Utah, May 8, 2017 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2017, all rights reserved.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julie Applegate is a long-time resident and fan of Southern Utah. She brings a strong background in news writing and editing, formerly as a full-time member of the St. George News team and currently as a contributor. Julie spent several years in the software industry. She believes strongly in the role of responsible news media in society, especially at the local level.
In her spare time, Julie can be found exploring Southern Utah on foot and by four-wheel drive or spending time with her family.