MARYSVALE — Firefighters battling the Silver King Fire approximately 3 miles west of Marysvale are reporting slight gains towards containment of the lightning caused wildfire.
The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for the Southern Utah area for Saturday due to high heat and wind conditions.
“Yesterday, a storm cell centered over the southeastern area of the fire,” Central Utah Interagency Fire said in a media update. “Winds up to 45 mph were experienced with directions changing nine times, causing an approximately 800 acre slopover.”
Responding crews with heavy equipment were able to establish another line around the fire Friday evening.
“At least one lightning strike was recorded in the Bullion Canyon area,” the fire agency stated. “Air operations were temporarily shut down during the high winds, but resumed later in the day. Power was again turned off in Bullion Canyon, however there were no power interruptions for customers in the surrounding area and to the south.The northeastern corner of the fire has been mopped and new containment is anticipated soon.”
The Incident Meteorologist has predicted increasing moisture into the weekend, the media release continued.
“With the anticipated moist conditions are possible dry lightning and particularly erratic winds that prompted the NOAA Weather service to issue a Red Flag Warning,” the media release said. “Conditions experienced on Friday are expected again, but prevailing winds are still coming from the South, pushing smoke into Richfield and Salina. Smoke conditions are likely to increase to unhealthy levels.”
Meteorologists warn of the possibility of more wildfires caused by dry lightning, but also said some isolated showers may occur throughout Saturday.
Firefighters are reporting the Silver King Fire has grown to approximately 16,745 acres and containment is reported at 2%.
The Fishlake National Forest has issued a closure order that can be found at this link. The Castle Rock Campground remains open.
There will be a community meeting on Saturday, July 13, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building in Marysvale at 6 p.m.
Little Twist Fire
The Little Twist Fire, located approximately 4 miles southeast of Beaver, was projected at 5,367 acres and 60% contained on Friday.
“Yesterday, the Great Basin Type 3 team transitioned command back to the local unit, where fire personnel will continue their efforts toward containment and suppression objectives,” Fishlake National Forest stated in a media update. “A heatwave is anticipated to remain in the fire area through the weekend, with continued hot and dry weather.”
Interior pockets of unburned woodlands will continue to burn, creating visible smoke in the area as they burn within the fire perimeter, the press release stated.
Road closure orders remain in effect for the safety of the public and firefighters. Future updates posted on the Little Twist Fire will now be available as there are significant changes, firefighters noted.
Deer Springs Fire
On Friday evening at 8:30 p.m. firefighters battling the wildfire near Kanab reported 40% containment.
“Fence repair started on the interior of the fire, while dozer line repair is planned to begin in the next couple of days,” a Bureau of Land Management media update stated. “Crews continued to strengthen the line along the flanks of the fire and below the rim.”
Minimal growth occurred on the southwest flank, which produced minimal smoke on Friday.
Area and road closures are in effect on Skutumpah Road between Johnson Canyon Road and Lick Wash — the road is open to resident traffic only. Nephi Pasture and Crocodile parking lots, as well as Nephi Pasture Road are closed to the public as these areas will be used for fire operations only.
“We strongly discourage all recreational activities in the Nephi Pasture Region and along Skutumpah Road,” BLM staff said in the media update.
Iron County weather warning
At 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, the National Weather Service warned a strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Iron County
“Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 17 miles northwest of Cedar City, moving northwest at 15 mph,” the media alert stated.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph are expected that could possibly knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.
Cedar City, Newcastle and Hamilton Fort areas could be impacted the most, the alert noted.
The following highways, Interstate 15, between mile markers 47 and 58, and state Route 56 between mile markers 30 and 39, are expected to be most impacted by the storm.
The weather storm was expected to pass through the area by 3 p.m., the weather forecasters said.
“If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building,” the weather alert warned.
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