BEAVER — Central Utah Fire Interagency crews are reporting the Little Twist Fire has grown to approximately 2,398 acres as of Monday morning.
The fire is 10% contained and is located four miles southeast of Beaver in steep, rugged terrain in remote areas.
“Fire personnel were again successful in implementing burnout operations on the northern perimeters of the fire yesterday,” the Monday morning press release said. “Favorable weather conditions enabled ground resources to continue to effectively establish black line down the Little Twist Trail Ridge, where hotshot crews had previously constructed indirect handline in difficult terrain and heavy fuels, in preparation for securing that area of the fire.
“Rain and hail was received over the fire late in the afternoon, minimizing fire behavior and smoke.”
Monday’s weather was expected to be mostly clear with highs in the low 80s with winds out of the south. There was also a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms over the vicinity of the fire.
“If conditions permit, crews will continue with firing operations while utilizing aerial resources for reconnaissance and bucket work,” interagency fire said in the news release.
Smoke will continue to be visible for several weeks from the surrounding areas including Interstates 15 and 70 and Highways 89 and 20. The wildfire is located approximately four miles southwest of Beaver with 220 personnel currently working the blaze in the Fishlake National Forest Beaver Ranger District
Little Reservoir, Tushar Lakeside and Kents Lake Campgrounds remain open to the public for camping and day use.
For the safety of both the public and firefighters, authorities are asking residents to avoid accessing Forest Road No. 137 (Kents Lake Road) past Upper Kents Lake, Anderson Meadow and Lebaron Campgrounds and Recreation sites, as well as the South Creek area.
Fire activity from June 15-23
Despite extreme weather conditions, including a dry cold front and gusty winds on Monday, June 17, the fire saw minimal growth of 26 acres, which burned in areas inaccessible or unsafe for firefighters.
Fire behavior was predicted to be less active on Tuesday, June 18, with lighter winds despite the low humidity. Temperatures are expected to be even cooler on Tuesday and are anticipated to warm up again by the weekend.
Firefighters continued to make progress in fireline construction to prepare for direct actions later in the week. Helicopters were utilized to drop water on the west and north sides of the fire, and in critical areas along the perimeter to keep fire activity in check. Firefighters are continuing their work to improve roads and trails to be used as indirect lines on the south and southwest sides of the fire.
Fishlake National Forest assistant public information officer Natalee Hunt said the wildfire was moderately active through the afternoon and evening on June 15.
“Fire behavior is expected to be very active with low humidities and with strong gusty winds expected through Monday,” Hunt said in an email. “Today, firefighters will continue constructing and strengthening direct and indirect firelines while utilizing natural barriers and favorable fuel types which provide the greatest opportunity to work towards containment of the fire both safely and effectively.”
Hunt said aerial resources have been successful in moderating the fire in critical areas along the perimeter. There is currently an area closure order in place to provide safety for both firefighters and the public.
This spring, the Beaver Ranger District implemented the burn plan for the South Beaver prescribed fire project, successfully completing 4,724 acres over several weeks, according to the news release.
“The district plans to burn 3,000-5,000 acres each year over the span of several years,” the Fishlake National Forest press release said. “Hot, dry, and windy weather resulted in the fire burning beyond the intended limits for this spring.”
On June 13, local Forest Service leaders made the decision to transition the active portion of the prescribed fire to a wildfire, now known as the Little Twist Fire, Hunt said.
“Due to more accurate mapping, the Little Twist Fire is currently 2,250 acres,” the news release stated.
Although double the original projected 1,000 acres burned, the Little Twist wildfire currently remains within the South Beaver burn project, the media release said. The decision to transition to a wildfire was made to allow the Forest Service to make use of additional resources, including those of cooperating agencies.
On June 15, Central Utah Fire Interagency’s Type 3 Incident Management Team took over management of the fire.
“We appreciate the rapid response of our partners to provide needed assistance,” Hunt said
According to a news release, on June 16, the fire saw minimal growth through the afternoon and into the evening with creeping and single tree torching. Fire behavior was expected to be very active with low humidity and strong gusty winds.
Temperatures were expected to be cooler through the next few days as a dry cold front moved into the region. Firefighters were able to construct an indirect line along the East side of the fire from where the Piute Side Trail 068 meets the ridge between South Creek and the Upper Beaver River Drainage. The line then extends south along the ridge and into the existing Thompson Ridge Fire scar from last year.
Helicopters were utilized to drop water on the west side of the fire, and in critical areas along the perimeter to keep fire activity in check. Fire firefighters have worked diligently to improve roads and trails to be used as indirect lines on the south and southwest sides of the fire.
On June 17, firefighters continued constructing and strengthening direct and indirect fire lines while utilizing natural barriers and favorable fuel types, including previous fuel treatment burn scars, which provided the greatest opportunity to work towards containment of the fire both safely and effectively. There was an area closure order in place to provide safety for both firefighters and the public.
This spring the Beaver Ranger District implemented the burn plan for the South Beaver prescribed fire project, successfully completing 4,724 acres over several weeks. The district plans to burn 3,000 – 5,000 acres each year over the span of several years. Hot, dry, and windy weather resulted in the fire burning beyond the intended limits for this spring. On the afternoon of June 13, Forest Service leadership made the decision to transition the active portion of the prescribed fire to a wildfire, now known as the Little Twist Fire.
Updated June 24, 4:20 p.m. to include information posted by the agency on Monday, June 24.
Updated June 18, 1:29 p.m. to include information posted by the agency on Tuesday, June 18.
Updated June 17, 1:41 p.m. to include information posted by the agency on Monday, June 17.
Photo Gallery
A helicopter drops flame retardant material on the Little Twist Fire, which is now estimated to have burned 2,398 acres south of Beaver, Utah, June 24, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Fishlake National Forest, St. George News
A helicopter drops water on the Little Twist Fire, which is now estimated to have burned 2,398 acres south of Beaver, Utah, June 24, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Fishlake National Forest, St. George News
Map shows the Little Twist Fire, which is now estimated to be 2,398 acres south of Beaver, Utah, June 24, 2024 | Image courtesy of Fishlake National Forest, St. George News
The Little Twist fire is now estimated to be 2,250 acres south of Beaver, Utah, June 15, 2024 | Graphic courtesy of Fishlake National Forest, St. George News
The Little Twist fire is now estimated to be 2,250 acres south of Beaver, Utah, June 15, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Fishlake National Forest, St. George News