WASHINGTON COUNTY — Fire crews from multiple agencies continue to battle a winter wildfire north of Zion National Park that started on New Year’s Day.
UPDATE Jan. 4, 1 p.m – As of approximately noon Thursday, officials reported the fire as being 95 percent contained and said it is expected to be fully contained by Thursday evening. Ten firefighters remain on scene mopping up remaining hot spots.
According to a statement issued Wednesday by Mike Melton of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands, a total of 39 acres have burned since the fire began Monday in the Oak Valley area west of Deep Creek, about five miles east of Kolob Reservoir in an unincorporated area of Washington County.
“A cabin caught fire New Year’s Day which spread to very dry vegetation,” the statement said. “Conditions are drier than they appear and drier than they normally are this time of year. One careless act can have extreme consequences.”
The blaze, which has burned mostly dry grass, scrub oak and other brush vegetation, was considered 60 percent contained by Wednesday afternoon and 95 percent by noon Thursday. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, officials said.
Besides the one burned cabin, three other structures in the area were threatened by the blaze, but in Thursday’s update, Melton said no other structures had been damaged. Additionally, no injuries have been reported, and there are no road closures or evacuations in effect.
A total of seven engines were dispatched to fight the fire, four of which were still on scene Thursday. Assisting the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands are crews from the Hurricane Valley Fire District, Washington City Fire Department, Hildale Fire Department, Santa Clara-Ivins Fire Rescue, Bureau of Land Management and the Utah State Fire Marshal.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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I’m speculating, of course, but when was the chimney last cleaned? Lots of house fires up in the SLC area lately, too.