ST. GEORGE — Firefighters are battling a wildfire in the LaVerkin Creek area Tuesday afternoon.
The fire is burning between Toquerville and LaVerkin near state Route 9, fueled by cottonwood trees, dry grass and brush.
The Color County Fire Interangency is reporting the fire is at 19 acres in size and is 80% contained as of 7:30 p.m. It is believed to be human caused and at one point threatened around 5 homes. One outbuilding was destroyed.
The fire spread rapidly with temperatures near 100 degrees and relative humidity at 6%, according to information from Mike Melton, area fire management officer for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. A aggressive initial attack from ground and aerial resources was launched on the fire.
“With the continued hot, dry weather, fires can be easily ignited,” Melton said.
Investigators have confirmed that an individual who was cleaning out a shed disposed of chemicals that became inadvertently mixed. Assisted by 100 degree outdoor temperatures, Melton said the chemicals spontaneously combusted, sparking the blaze.
Responding agencies included the Hurricane Valley Fire District, Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, St. George and Washington City fire departments, LaVerkin Police Department and Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
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A wildfire that ignited in the LaVerkin Creek area of Washington County is believed to be human caused, Washington County, Utah, Aug. 20, 2019 | Photo by Ron Chaffin, St. Goerge News
A wildfire that ignited in the LaVerkin Creek area of Washington County is believed to be human caused, Washington County, Utah, Aug. 20, 2019 | Photo by Ron Chaffin, St. Goerge News
A wildfire that ignited in the LaVerkin Creek area of Washington County is believed to be human caused, Washington County, Utah, Aug. 20, 2019 | Photo by Ron Chaffin, St. Goerge News
A wildfire that ignited in the LaVerkin Creek area of Washington County is believed to be human caused, Washington County, Utah, Aug. 20, 2019 | Photo by Ron Chaffin, St. Goerge News
A wildfire that ignited in the LaVerkin Creek area of Washington County is believed to be human caused, Washington County, Utah, Aug. 20, 2019 | Photo by Ron Chaffin, St. Goerge News
A wildfire that ignited in the LaVerkin Creek area of Washington County is believed to be human caused, Washington County, Utah, Aug. 20, 2019 | Photo by Ron Chaffin, St. Goerge News
A wildfire that ignited in the LaVerkin Creek area of Washington County is believed to be human caused, Washington County, Utah, Aug. 20, 2019 | Photo by Ron Chaffin, St. Goerge News
A wildfire that ignited in the LaVerkin Creek area of Washington County is believed to be human caused, Washington County, Utah, Aug. 20, 2019 | Photo by Ron Chaffin, St. Goerge News
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