The Thompson Ridge Fire which was ignited by a lightning strike last Friday, grew from 1,100 acres reported on Monday to 2,700 acres on Tuesday and is still growing as it heads towards Circleville, Utah in Piute County. Wednesday it was reported to be 7,289 acres burned.
The Central Utah Interagency Fire lists the primary fuel as timber (litter and understory).
The Forest Service now has three helicopters and several fire engines fighting this fire along with local volunteer firefighters from Antimony and Piute County who have joined the effort, according to the Antimony Clerk.
According to a news release from the Central Utah Interagency Fire, “Fire managers are evaluating potential control features and are developing objectives commensurate with the values at risk. A type 3 Incident Management Team has been ordered. The fire is very active currently. Smoke is visible from surrounding towns and major travel ways such as I-15 and Highway 89. The fire is still not threatening structures.”
Kane Fire in Arizona
A fire is also burning 11 miles south of US 89A in the North Kaibab Ranger District in Arizona, and it has increased to 3,247 acres. It has been named the Kane Fire. It seems we are surrounded by fire along the Byway.
Our southwest winds have pushed both fires to the east and made them difficult to fight. Although the smoke is visible it is not bad in Garfield County but has been significantly stronger in Piute County.
The Thompson Ridge fire has burned a lot of acreage in a ravine which adds to the difficulty of fighting this fire. Although, it may reach a point where it will run out of fuel in leaving the timbered areas; then it would then be easier to build fire breaks and fight from the ground.
We will keep reporting progress until the fires are contained.
– The Byway
Feature image courtesy Utah Fire Info/Facebook.