Bear Fire and Bennion Creek Fire ICP, Price, Utah

John Schuler, Public Information Officer 

It takes a lot of hard work to put out a wildland fire. From the aircraft in the air, to the boots on the ground swinging an axe or spraying water, to the dispatcher on the other end of the radio at the initial dispatch. Countless hours of hard work go into putting out a wildland fire and “Putting the wet stuff on the red stuff” and not to mention thousands of feet of hose. What happens to all that hose and where does the hose come from?

When Initial Attack firefighting efforts in one area are complete, those crews must quickly move to the next area of the fire’s edge and it can be time consuming to roll up all that hose, especially when time is of the essence. In those moments of initial attack, those hoses will sometimes be left behind and that fire engine will utilize their supply of remaining hose for the next firefight. The fire hose left behind will later be utilized, by either that engine crew another one, to mop up any reaming hot spots that may appear after the initial attack is over.

So, as you can imagine, large fires can end up with thousands of feet of hose on the fire line that must be picked up, cleaned, rolled and made ready for their next big wildland fire.

Today, at the Bear and Bennion Creek Fire Incident Command Post in Price Utah, the Central Utah Camp Crew (CUCC), is hard at work. The CUCC has approximately 250-300 high schoolers involved in the program each summer. These students are from ten different high schools and three counties from central Utah. These students are divided to 13 member crews that are rostered as national resources. This year, they are able to fill eight crews. The program helps build work ethic, integrity, respect, team cohesion and is utilized by the BLM as a recruiting tool to help fill open spots in their organization. Today we found the CUCC at the incident command post making ready the first of three truckloads of hose pulled from the fire lines of the Bear and Bennion Creek Fires.

These young men and women have taken time out of their summers for an opportunity to work in the wildfire industry and learn about some of what goes on in fire camp and the parts and pieces needed to support the firefighters on the fire line. Each fire assignment typically lasts two weeks, before they go home to rest and get ready for their next assignment.  Every fire assignment is different, but at each they will spend time working in and around the incident command post learning about the supply and logistical portion of a fire camp.

Wyatt Robins, a 17 year old senior at West Jordan High School said “Before this, I didn’t understand how things worked. There’s a lot of people in the incident command system and they all have important jobs”.  Wyatt says he looks forward to pursuing a career as a wildland firefighter after he graduates.

When I asked Wyatt, and his group of young friends all covered in dirt, how many feet they rolled? Wyatt responded “Lots”. A moment later another young man from their crew approached his messy friends and stated “20,400 feet”.

I guess it’s not countless after all…  

 

 

Several interior smokes were visible yesterday on the Bear Fire. Today, engines will continue to monitor the fire perimeter to ensure that there are no areas of concern. Fireline suppression repair activities will continue along Ford Ridge and Spring Canyon. This work includes rehabbing fire lines and chipping woody material felled during fire suppression. This work is done to minimize long term impacts of firefighting efforts.

A rehabilitation team will begin assessments today on the Bear Fire. This team is comprised of resource specialists such as hydrologists and soil scientists who will work with local district staff to assess the area. The purpose of the assessment is to establish recommendations to stabilize and restore the fire area.

A RED FLAG WARNING is in effect for the fire area through Thursday. Dry thunderstorms may develop around the fire area later Wednesday afternoon through the evening. The main threat from these storms is the potential for lightning strikes in combination with no precipitation. There will be a greater chance for scattered rainfall Thursday, and potentially, locally heavy rainfall. Today’s temperatures will reach 84° in lower elevations and humidity levels will be 16-18%. Strong and erratic winds are expected around any developed thunderstorms.

 

Fire restrictions remain in effect on state and Utah BLM lands. Complete information on all of these restrictions may be found at https://utahfireinfo.gov/fire-restrictions/ . The Nevada Type 3 Incident Management Team 1 is managing the Bear Fire.

 

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Several interior smokes were visible yesterday on the Bear Fire. Today, engines will continue to monitor the fire perimeter to ensure that there are no areas of concern. Fireline suppression repair activities will continue along Ford Ridge and Spring Canyon. This work includes rehabbing fire lines and chipping woody material felled during fire suppression. This work is done to minimize long term impacts of firefighting efforts.

A rehabilitation team will begin assessments today on the Bear Fire. This team is comprised of resource specialists such as hydrologists and soil scientists who will work with local district staff to assess the area. The purpose of the assessment is to establish recommendations to stabilize and restore the fire area.

A RED FLAG WARNING is in effect for the fire area through Thursday. Dry thunderstorms may develop around the fire area later Wednesday afternoon through the evening. The main threat from these storms is the potential for lightning strikes in combination with no precipitation. There will be a greater chance for scattered rainfall Thursday, and potentially, locally heavy rainfall. Today’s temperatures will reach 84° in lower elevations and humidity levels will be 16-18%. Strong and erratic winds are expected around any developed thunderstorms.

 

Fire restrictions remain in effect on state and Utah BLM lands. Complete information on all of these restrictions may be found at https://utahfireinfo.gov/fire-restrictions/ . The Nevada Type 3 Incident Management Team 1 is managing the Bear Fire.

 

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As of this morning, the Nevada Type 3 Incident Management Team is managing the Bear Fire. Containment on the fire is at 93% and 12,170 acres.

Fireline suppresion repair work continues on damages incurred during firefighting efforts. Northwest of the fire, repair work will continue around the cabins along Ford Ridge. Fire repair work is anticipated to be complete today in the Price Recreation Area. Overall, fire suppression repair is considered to be halfway complete on the fire. This work will continue until the area is considered safe for the firefighters and public.

Winds have repeatedly successfully tested containment lines on the Bear Fire. Interior smokes within the containment lines may continue to be visible in upcoming days. There remains the potential for fire due to rollout on areas of uncontained line. Fuels within the area remain critically dry, and the potential for rapid fire spread and large fire growth exists for new starts.

Critical fire weather conditions will remain across the fire area for dry conditions with gusty winds.  Winds will increase out of the southwest, and cloud cover will increase through the day today. This cloud cover will bring slightly cooler temperatures through the week. A chance of dry thunderstorms will exist on Wednesday and continue in to Thursday.

There are fire restrictions in effect on state and Utah BLM lands. Complete information on all of these restrictions may be found at https://utahfireinfo.gov/fire-restrictions/ .

 

 

Containment on the Bear Fire has now reached 93%, with acreage remaining at 12,170. Small areas of uncontained line remain on the southeast and southwest corners of the fire. Today, fire line mop up and patrol will continue on the entire fire perimeter. Along Spring Canyon Road, crews will begin chipping operations as part of fire line suppression repair.

A RED FLAG WARNING will be in effect at noon today for the fire area. Conditions today will be breezy, with winds shifting to the west and west/southwest late today. Critical fire weather conditions are anticipated to return Tuesday through midweek as a southwest flow strengthens across Utah. Temperatures today will reach 93° in lower elevations and near 82° along ridgetops. The relative humidity levels will be 8-15% for the fire area.

There will be an incident management team transition this week between the California Interagency Incident Management Team 10 and the incoming Nevada Type 3 Incident Management Team 1. The incoming team is shadowing the current team today and is expected to take control Tuesday.

 

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Yesterday, firefighters completed their work strengthening line in Hardscrabble Canyon. Along the western edge of the fire, crews will continue to work today, mopping up fire line, and look for any areas of interior heat. Lines around the fire continue to be tested and hold during strong drown draft winds.

Suppression repair work is active on the Bear Fire. This work includes repairing damage to roads, fences and mitigating hazard trees that may have been impacted by the firefighting efforts. This work will continue today around structures on Ford Ridge Road and in the Price Recreation Area. The need for suppression repair activity on other areas of the fire will be assessed today.

A RED FLAG WARNING due to gusty winds and low humidity is in effect for the fire through Sunday evening. Northwest winds will strengthen today as a weak cold front passes through. Temperatures today will reach 93° in lower elevations and near 82° along ridgetops. The relative humidity levels will be 8-18% for the fire area. Weather conditions will be breezy Monday before winds shift. Critical fire weather conditions may return by mid-week.

The incident management team on the Bear Fire is also responsible for initial attack on new fires within the fire area. Yesterday, smokejumpers that had been staged at Price Airport  responded to a new start in Dry Canyon. The fire was lined and contained at 1.2 acres yesterday afternoon.

There will be an incident management team transition this week between the California Interagency Incident Management Team 10 and an incoming Nevada incident management team.

 

 

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Special Statement

Red Flag Warning in effect until 9PM tonight due to low relative humidity, gusty winds and dry thunderstorms. Some gusty winds on Monday may bring critical conditions further into the week.

Fire

The Bear fire had no growth yesterday and remains at 12170 acres with 65% containment and the Bennion Creek fire had no growth and is at 8329 acres and is 45% contained. Crews are making good progress on holding control lines and increasing containment. Persistent red flag conditions are still in effect until 9PM tonight.

Smoke

Smoke production from both fires will be minimal today due to interior smoldering. What little smoke produced from the fire will not be an issue in low lying areas as it will quickly dissipate as it rises. Expect good air quality today in all areas except Spanish Fork which could see air quality in the moderate ranges for short periods of time.

Today's Message

This will be my final Smoke Outlook for Bennion Creek and Bear fires.

Special Statement

Red Flag Warning in effect until 9PM Sunday due to low relative humidity, gusty winds and dry thunderstorms.

Fire

The Bear fire had no growth yesterday and remains at 12170 acres with 41% containment and the Bennion Creek fire had minimal growth of less than an acre and is at 8329 acres with 34% contained. Crews are making good progress on holding control lines and increasing containment. Persistent red flag conditions and instability over the fire area due to a system arriving late today will provide the potential for rapid fire spread and fire growth.

Smoke

Expect similar air quality as yesterday trending toward good in all areas except Moab which could stay in the moderate ranges throughout the day due to the Pack Creek Fire. There is a chance of more smoke this afternoon as a change in weather is coming creating increased winds with dry thunderstorms. If the fire doesn't become more active due to the change in weather we will see less smoke with good air quality into the weekend.

Today's Message

When looking at this Smoke Outlook think of it as a tool to plan your day. If the area that you reside in has poor air quality and you desire outdoor activity, think about going to an area that is green (good air quality) if you want outdoor recreation. https://fires.airfire.org/outlooks

Yesterday, firefighters on the Bear Fire worked to blacken line in Hardscrabble Canyon, first laying hose up a ridgeline, then starting to carefully fire off that line, securing containment behind the town of Helper. Increased winds yesterday afternoon tested containment lines around the fire, and firefighters were pleased to see no spread outside of lines. However, a few isolated heat sources were revealed close enough to lines to cause concern. Firefighters on the ground and in the air remained alert to hot spots, extinguishing them as they found them.

 Crews will continue mopping up and cold trailing lines today. Additional burning is possible in Hardscrabble Canyon, should conditions permit.  A Red Flag Warning remains in effect today for scattered dry thunderstorms. Predicted winds this afternoon could top 50 mph. The convective activity entering the area is expected to peak this evening, bringing erratic downburst winds which can challenge firefighters.

Special Statement

Red Flag Warning in effect today until 10PM Thursday due to gusty winds and low humidity.

Fire

The Bear fire had a growth of 955 acres and is now at 12170 acres with 30% containment and the Bennion Creek fire grew only 13 acres and is 8329 and is 17% contained. Most of the growth from the Bear fire is due to increased boundary mapping. Persistent red flag conditions and instability over the fire area due to a system arriving late today will provide potential for rapid fire spread and fire growth.

Smoke

Today there is a possibility of an increase in smoke due to a system arriving late today. The smoke is expected to drift North East of the fires today. The communities of Roosevelt, Vernal and Rangely will see smoke in the moderate ranges throughout the day. Helper and communities South of the fires will see similar conditions as yesterday. Depending on fire activity smoke impacts could increase due to erratic winds in the area. Moab will have moderate air quality today due to fire activity on the Pack Creek fire and smoke coming from fires in Arizona, New Mexico.

Today's Message

The daily AQI forecast is based on the 24 hour average concentration. However if you smell smoke, you are breathing smoke. Stay indoors if you and avoid smoke if you are smoke sensitive or consider leaving the area until the smoke clears out of your area.