8/16/21 Parleys Canyon Fire Update

Parleys Canyon Fire Update

Monday, August 16, 2021

Contact Fire Information:  435-414-9453

or 2021.ParleysCanyon@firenet.gov

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7802/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/UtahWildfire

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/UtahWildfire

539 acres, 10% contained

This morning, Great Basin Team #4 assumed command of the Parleys Canyon Fire.  The highest priority on the fire is the safety of the public and firefighters.  Other priorities include protecting the municipal watershed.  Closures and evacuations will be continually evaluated to reduce or lift when it is safe to do so.

The Team is working from the fire camp established at the Park City Ice Arena.  Please be cautious traveling through the area, particularly early in the mornings and late in the evenings as fire traffic will be heaviest.  Travel restrictions on I-80 are being evaluated.  Currently, east-bound traffic is restricted to the left two lanes to protect firefighters working along the highway.  West-bound traffic is unaffected.

Yesterday’s fire behavior was minimal, despite gusty winds throughout the afternoon.  Fire crews are working on all sections of the fire perimeter.  Helicopters, airtankers, and water scoopers are dropping water and retardant on particularly active portions of the fire to support the crews constructing fireline on the ground.  Two helicopters from the Utah National Guard will support the firefighters again today.  Jodanelle Reservoir will remain closed as long as water scoopers are using it.  Rocky Mountain Power is working to return power to Summit Park. 

Heavy regional smoke will persist throughout the day again today.  This smoke is acting somewhat like cloud cover to lower temperatures slightly.  Tomorrow, a low pressure system will enter the region and increase the chances of precipitation.  Runoff is a possibility in fire burned areas if significant rain occurs.

Evacuations:  Residents of Summit Park, Pinebrook, and Lambs Canyon are all under mandatory evacuation orders.  Team #4 is working closely with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office to evaluate when it is safe to lift evacuations, once the eastern side of the fire perimeter is secured.

Closures:  For the safety of the public, the Unitah-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is enacted an area closure that will include Mill Creek and Winter Canyon.  Once available, the full map and official closure order at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7802/.