A wildfire started approximately 11 miles southeast of Beaver, Utah when lightning struck on Thompson Ridge in the Fishlake National Forest. The lightning struck on Friday, August 4 and had grown to 1,100 acres by Monday afternoon. The fire had swelled to 2,700 acres by Tuesday morning, according to Fishlake National Forest spokeswoman Naomi Gordon.
The wildfire began in Beaver County but ran along the Garfield-Piute County line Tuesday under windy conditions. Through Tuesday afternoon, the fire expanded along the steep, southeast face of Circleville Mountain.
Public information officer David Tait said that an aerial inspection was conducted on Monday to determine the extent of the damage. The report stated that the fire is burning heavy dead and downed timber and mixed conifers. It was reported as smoldering, creeping and single-tree torching.
Tait added there is neither a current containment percent estimate nor is there an estimate as to when the fire will be contained.
The fire moved into Garfield County on Monday burning in popular hunting areas for deer and elk. Although no hunts are underway at this time, many people combed the area shed hunting this year.
The firefighters plan to move a Type 3 management team in place Wednesday morning, according to Tait. At the present time, resources ordered to fight the fire include one Type 6 Engine, Tushar Mountain Wildfire Module and one Type 3 helicopter, according to a Wildfire Fact Sheet from Central Utah Interagency Fire.
The fire is visible from Panguitch during the day and creates an orange glow on the hills at night time. No evacuations have been ordered at this time and no structures are threatened. Forest trail 068 has been closed and people are advised to avoid the Dog Valley area.
Check The Byway daily for updates on the Thompson Ridge Fire.
– The Byway