ST. GEORGE — State officials continued to battle two active wildfires on Saturday while Southern Utah sizzled beneath potentially record-high temperatures.
The Little Twist Fire near Beaver and the Silver King Fire near Marysvale were manifestations of an already dangerous wildfire season.
According to a press release from Karl Hunt, public information officer for the Utah Department of Natural Resources, officials have noticed increased fire activity along roadsides and in fires related to agricultural and debris burning.
Since Memorial Day weekend and the start of the summer travel season, Hunt noted, Utah has experienced 56 wildfires caused by motor vehicles.
According to the Utah Fire Sense website, it is important to check that your vehicle’s brakes and tires are in good condition.
The Little Twist Fire has consumed 4,307 acres and has 247 personnel fighting against it, Beaver, Utah, July 6, 2024 | Photo Central Utah Fire Interagency for the St. George News
Worn-out brake pads and tires with low pressure can expose the rim, creating sparks. When towing, make sure all trailer chains are tight so they do not drag along the road.
Further tips include parking your vehicle away from dry vegetation when you pull over or reach your destination. Hot exhaust components quickly ignite the fine grasses and shrubs often found along roadways and at lower elevations.
Hunt also noted that, since the beginning of the year, Utah has seen 72 wildfires due to escaped agricultural or debris burns. Of those, 31 occurred during closed fire season.
Fires of any kind are prohibited during Red Flag Warnings. Click here to view specific fire restrictions in Southwestern Utah.
According to Utah Code, the closed fires season runs from June 1 through Oct 31. Individuals must secure a written permit for a burn and must comply fully with the permit. Failure to do so is a class C misdemeanor.
Following is a glance at the two fires actively burning Saturday, according to information in a press release from public information officer Kylee Scott.
Little Twist Fire
About four miles southeast of Beaver, the fire grew to 4,307 acres with 35 percent containment as of Saturday afternoon.
Crews continued their work along the perimeter of the fire, securing and improving existing line and preventing spot fires.
Smoke is expected to remain visible in the area as higher concentrations of dead and down fuels get consumed by the blaze within the perimeter.
A Red Flag Warning is in place until Sunday evening. Fire behavior is expected to be active the next few days with hot, dry and windy conditions. There are 247 personnel assigned to fight the fire, which is burning in remote areas in steep, rugged terrain.
According to the press release, Little Reservoir, Tushar Lakeside, Kent’s Lake and LeBaron Campgrounds are open to the public for camping and recreational day use.
Map shows where the Silver King and Little Twist fires are burning, July 6, 2024 | Image courtesy of Utah Fire Info, St. George News
Silver King Fire
The lightning-caused blaze has consumed 1,100 acres in steep and rugged terrain approximately eight miles west of Marysville, according to the Marysvale Fire Department and Utah Fire Info.
A hot-shot firefighting crew battled the fire along with four engines and aircraft on the scene. More resources were en route to the incident Saturday afternoon.
Crews looked for opportunities to build future fire lines where possible and scouted areas for safe access.
A Red Flag Warning was in place due to hot, dry and windy conditions with low relative humidity.
Citizens are asked to stay out of the area to provide safety for the public and all firefighting resources.
Saturday afternoon, Rocky Mountain Power notified the Piute County Sheriff’s Office that if the fire above Marysvale gets within four miles of the power lines, the power will be shut off.
“If you require power for oxygen or other life-saving devices, please be prepared and take all preparations to be without power for a while,” Sheriff Marty Gleave wrote on the Paiute County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
Video below shows flame retardant being dropped on the Sliver King Fire (courtesy of Marysvale Fire Department Facebook page at approximately 3:30 p.m.). Click to play.
Click here for updates on both the Little Twist and Silver King fires, as well as fire danger levels across Utah.
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