ST. GEORGE — Firefighters and resources from multiple agencies continue to battle a wildfire that started Wednesday afternoon near Kolob Terrace Road and about 15 miles northeast of the Washington County town of Virgin.
According to Utah Fire Info, the blaze, called the Kolob Upper Fire, was reported at 4:32 p.m. Initial reports had the fire’s size at between 3-5 acres, but by 5:30 p.m. it had reportedly grown to at least 25 acres.
However, on Thursday morning, Washington County Fire Warden Heber Heyder told St. George News that the fire’s current size had been more precisely mapped at 17 acres.
“Retardant lines helped to hold the fire overnight,” Heyder said. “We have local, state and federal resources continuing to cut and build containment lines around the fire.”
No structures are threatened and the cause of the fire is still under investigation, Heyder added. The fire is located within the boundaries of Zion National Park (see map).
Washington County Emergency Services posted the following message on its Facebook page shortly after 5 p.m. on Wednesday:
Fire crews just arrived on scene of a 3-5 acre brush fire approximately MM 15/16 to the east of Kolob Terrace Road. Road will be closed to all travel; Avoid the area. If you are already in the area monitor social media, and follow any guidance received from authorities.
At 6 p.m., Zion National Park’s Twitter account posted the following:
Kolob Terrace Rd. is closed from State Rt. 9 to Lava Point due to wildfire at Maloney Hill. Firefighters from NPS and partners are responding.
Zion-Canyon Scenic Drive and Zion-Mount Carmel Highway are open/not affected.
— Zion National Park (@ZionNPS) July 21, 2022
By Thursday morning, Kolob Terrace Road was partially reopened to traffic, with an escort vehicle leading cars through on one side of the road, in alternating fashion. The other lane will remain closed during firefighting operations so that crews can operate safely, Heyder said.
An aerial attack has reportedly commenced, with multiple air tankers and at least one helicopter seen flying above the area.
Joshua Pettit, a local photographer, sent photos of the fire to St. George News and said the blaze appeared to have started just north of the Wildcat Canyon Trail.
“When we passed the fire in the car, there was only a couple of trees on fire,” Pettit reported. “By the time we got to the bottom of that steep grade, the fire had already gone up the hill a little bit and had started climbing down the hill as well.”
This story will be updated with further information as it becomes available.
Updated July 21, 10:30 a.m. with additional details.
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