Pack Creek Fire Update

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Fire Information: (435) 287-4126 or rwootton@blm.gov  

Visit www.utahfireinfo.gov or our storymap at https://arcg.is/SH4Hm0 

Cause: Abandoned campfire

Size in Acres: 8,952

Percent Contained: 82%

Helicopters: 3

Engines: 5

Crews: 2

Total Personnel: 113

Summary: 

 

The reprieve from the high temperatures during the beginning of this incident is expected to continue this week. This afternoon, there may be increased moisture, wind, and/or lightning. Firefighters continue monitoring the fire, looking for hotspots along the perimeter, addressing hazard trees, and completing rehabilitation work. 

 

This incident has a strong safety record. Fire managers are grateful to all of the local and visiting staff for their professionalism and good work. The safety of firefighters and the public is the top priority on this incident. The updated closure is still in effect, but as people begin to re-enter the area, they should be on the lookout for fallen trees, uneven ground, reduced visibility from dust or smoke, firefighting personnel who continue to work in the area, and other hazards. The public should expect trail and recreation site closures to continue due to risks from falling trees and/or potential flooding.

 

The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is still in place for the area from Spanish Valley Drive into the La Sal Mountains. Unauthorized use of aircraft (including drones) in a TFR is illegal and is a safety risk for firefighters and pilots. 

 

Evacuations are still in place for the Holyoak and Dark Canyon areas. The La Sal Loop Road is now open, but Geyser Pass and Oowah Lake Roads are closed. The Warner Lake and Oowah Lake campgrounds remain closed. The Manti La Sal National Forest updated the closure order for the La Sal Mountains on June 24. The closure can be found online: https://bit.ly/3h7ixYM.   

 

Investigators are still seeking leads to help identify those responsible for the fire’s ignition. Anyone who has information related to the identification of the responsible party of the Pack Creek Fire can call the tip line at 775-355-5337.

 

As of June 25, public and state lands are in stage 2 fire restrictions in Carbon, Emery, Grand and San Juan counties. Stage 2 restrictions mean campfires are not allowed on public or state lands. Learn more on the Utah Fire Information website: https://utahfireinfo.gov/active-fire-restriction-documents/. 

Monday, June 28, 2021 Fire Information: (435) 287-4126 or rwootton@blm.gov  
 Visit www.utahfireinfo.gov or our storymap at https://arcg.is/SH4Hm0 

Cause: Abandoned campfire

Size in Acres: 8,952

Percent Contained: 80%

Helicopters: 3

Engines: 5

Crews: 2

Total Personnel: 110
 
Summary: 

Firefighters had a successful day on the Pack Creek Fire yesterday. They continue monitoring the fire, addressing hotspots along the fire perimeter, and completing rehabilitation work. Today, they expect to continue increasing containment, patrolling the fire line, and addressing hotspots/hazards. Fire managers expect this fire to be of long-duration. The public should expect trail and recreation site closures to continue to protect public health and safety.

The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is still in place for the area from Spanish Valley Drive into the La Sal Mountains. Unauthorized use of aircraft (including drones) in a TFR is illegal and is a safety risk for firefighters and pilots. 

Evacuations are still in place for the Holyoak and Dark Canyon areas. The La Sal Loop Road is now open, but Geyser Pass and Oowah Lake Roads are closed. The Warner Lake and Oowah Lake campgrounds remain closed. The Manti La Sal National Forest updated the closure order for the La Sal Mountains on June 24. The closure can be found online: https://bit.ly/3h7ixYM  

Investigators are still seeking leads to help identify those responsible for the fire’s ignition. Anyone who has information related to the identification of the responsible party of the Pack Creek Fire can call the tip line at 775-355-5337.

 

As of June 25, public and state lands are in stage 2 fire restrictions in Carbon, Emery, Grand and San Juan counties. Stage 2 restrictions mean campfires are not allowed on public or state lands. Learn more on the Utah Fire Information website: https://utahfireinfo.gov/active-fire-restriction-documents/. 

 Pack Creek Fire Update

Sunday, June 27, 2021

Fire Information: (435) 287-4126

Or rwootton@blm.gov  

Visit www.utahfireinfo.gov or our storymap at https://arcg.is/SH4Hm0 

Cause: Abandoned campfire

Size in Acres: 8,952

Percent Contained: 77%

Helicopters: 3

Engines: 5

Crews: 0

Total Personnel: 118
 

Summary: 

Due to favorable conditions and weather, fire behavior was minimal yesterday. Today firefighters will continue to secure, patrol, and mop-up the fire line. Moisture is expected to remain in the area over the next few days. However, mid-way through next week fire managers anticipate dry conditions and moderate fire behavior in the Geyser Pass and Haystack Mountain area.

The Pack Creek Burned Area Emergency Response Team continues to assess the burn scar and identify post wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural and cultural resources on National Forest System lands. The attached handout outlines the three phases of forest repair (fire suppression repair, emergency stabilization-burned area emergency response, and long-term recovery and restoration) and the role of the team on the Pack Creek Fire.

The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is still in place for the area from Spanish Valley Drive into the La Sal Mountains. Unauthorized use of aircraft (including drones) in a TFR is illegal and is a safety risk for firefighters and pilots. 

Evacuations are still in place for the Holyoak and Dark Canyon areas. The La Sal Loop Road is now open, but Geyser Pass and Oowah Lake Roads are closed. The Warner Lake and Oowah Lake campgrounds remain closed. The Manti La Sal National Forest updated the closure order for the La Sal Mountains on June 24. The closure can be found online: https://bit.ly/3h7ixYM  

Investigators are still seeking leads to help identify those responsible for the fire’s ignition. Anyone who has information related to the identification of the responsible party of the Pack Creek Fire can call the tip line at 775-355-5337.

 

As of June 25, public and state lands are in stage 2 fire restrictions in Carbon, Emery, Grand and San Juan counties. Stage 2 restrictions mean campfires are not allowed on public or state lands. Learn more on the Utah Fire Information website: https://utahfireinfo.gov/active-fire-restriction-documents/. 

Pack Creek Fire Update

Saturday, June 26, 2021

Fire Information: (435) 287-4126

Or rwootton@blm.gov  

Visit www.utahfireinfo.gov or our storymap at https://arcg.is/SH4Hm0 

Start Date: June 9, 2021

Cause: Abandoned campfire

Size in Acres: 8,952

Percent Contained: 75%

Helicopters: 3

Engines: 5

Crews: 0

Total Personnel: 118

Summary: 

The fire behavior and growth were minimal yesterday. Firefighting efforts continued to focus on the areas by Geyser Pass, Gold Basin, and Mount Mellenthin. Crews are taking advantage of the conditions and decreased fire behavior to secure the fire edges. 

The Manti-La Sal National Forest established a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team that has initiated an assessment of the Pack Creek Fire burn scar. BAER teams identify post wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural and cultural resources to National Forest System lands.The Pack Creek Fire BAER team anticipates that the final burn severity map and an emergency assessment of post-fire debris flow hazards will be available to the public during the week of June 28, 2021.

BAER teams include hydrologists, geologists, soil scientists, road engineers, botanists, biologists, and archeologists from federal and state agencies. The Pack Creek Fire BAER team will work together to complete burned area surveys, modeling, threat identification, and risk assessments. They will produce a burned area report summarizing assessment findings and identify any recommended treatments necessary to reduce risk to critical values on forest lands. BAER reports are also shared with the interagency Utah Post-Wildfire Team, which consists of state and federal agency representatives who can provide additional support to communities that have been impacted by wildfire.

The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is still in place for the area from Spanish Valley Drive into the La Sal Mountains. Unauthorized use of aircraft (including drones) in a TFR is illegal and is a safety risk for firefighters and pilots. 

The La Sal Loop Road is now open; and the Manti La Sal National Forest has updated the closure order for the La Sal Mountains (attached) on June 24. Key information and updates include:

• Dispersed camping is allowed west of the La Sal Loop Road. 

• The La Sal Pass is open to La Sal Pass from the east side and camping is allowed along the La Sal Pass road, including the Medicine Lake area. Hikers can now use the Mount Tuk Trail to climb up to Mount Peale, but should know that the area north of the peak remains closed.

• Road closures for La Sal Pass Road and Dark Canyon Lake Road remain due to activity on the northeast side of the fire. 

• Evacuations remain in place for the Geyser Pass area, and from Blue Lake to the east towards the Dark Canyon area. Warner Lake, Oowah Lake, and Geyser Pass Roads and campground remain closed. Reservations for Warner and Oowah lake campgrounds through at least the end of July are not available.

Popular hiking and biking trails including the Whole Enchilada inside the closure area, Moonlight Meadows, Gold Basin Trail and Clark Lake trails remain closed. The Forest Service continues to ask recreationists to stay out of Gold Basin for their safety and the safety of firefighting personnel.

As of 12:01 a.m. on June 25, public and state lands entered stage 2 fire restrictions in Carbon, Emery, Grand and San Juan counties. Learn more on the Utah Fire Information website: https://utahfireinfo.gov/active-fire-restriction-documents/. 

 

Investigators are still seeking leads to help identify those responsible for the fire’s ignition. Anyone who has information related to the identification of the responsible party of the Pack Creek Fire can call the tip line at 775-355-5337.

 Visit www.utahfireinfo.gov or our storymap at https://arcg.is/SH4Hm0

Start Date: June 9, 2021

Cause: Abandoned campfire

Size in Acres: 8,952

Percent Contained: 73%

Helicopters: 3

Engines: 5

Crews: 2
Total Personnel: 169 

Summary: 

Yesterday was the last operational shift for Great Basin Incident Management Team 4. The Pack Creek Fire transitioned back to the Manti-La Sal National Forest on this morning, led by Type 3 Incident Commander Terry Garner. The local land managers are grateful for the hard work and efforts of Great Basin Incident Management Team 4 and wish them safe travels.

The higher relative humidity and rain yesterday and last night led to decreased fire activity and aided suppression efforts.

The La Sal Loop Road is now open; and the Manti La Sal National Forest has updated the closure order for the eastern slope of the La Sal Mountains (attached). Key information and updates include:

• Dispersed camping is allowed west of the La Sal Loop Road. 

• The La Sal Pass is open to La Sal Pass from the east side and camping is allowed along the La Sal Pass road, including the Medicine Lake area. Hikers can now use the Mount Tuk Trail to climb up to Mount Peale, but should know that the area north of the peak remains closed.

• Road closures for La Sal Pass Road and Dark Canyon Lake Road remain due to activity on the northeast side of the fire. 

• Evacuations remain in place for the Geyser Pass area, and from Blue Lake to the east towards the Dark Canyon area. Warner Lake, Oowah Lake, and Geyser Pass Roads and campground remain closed. Reservations for Warner and Oowah lake campgrounds through at least the end of July are not available.

Popular hiking and biking trails including the Whole Enchilada inside the closure area, Moonlight Meadows, Gold Basin Trail and Clark Lake trails remain closed. The Forest Service continues to ask recreationists to stay out of Gold Basin for their safety and the safety of firefighting personnel.

As of 12:01 a.m. this morning, public and state lands entered stage 2 fire restrictions in Carbon, Emery, Grand and San Juan counties. Learn more on the Utah Fire Information website: https://utahfireinfo.gov/active-fire-restriction-documents/.

 

Investigators are still seeking leads to help identify those responsible for the fire’s ignition. Anyone who has information related to the identification of the responsible party of the Pack Creek Fire can call the tip line at 775-355-5337.

Pack Creek Fire Update
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Contact Fire Information:  (435) 287-4126
Or rwootton@blm.gov 
Visit www.utahfireinfo.gov or our storymap at https://arcg.is/SH4Hm0

 

Start Date: June 9, 2021

Cause: Abandoned campfire

Size in Acres: 8,952

Percent Contained: 73%

Est. Cost to Date: $8.7 mil.

Helicopters: 5

Engines: 14

Crews: 5

Total Personnel: 319 

 Summary: 
 
Today is the last operational shift for Great Basin Incident Management Team 4. The Pack Creek Fire will transition back to the Manti-La Sal National Forest on Friday morning. Team 4 would like to thank the community for the tremendous support and generosity shown to the firefighters and overhead personnel working on the incident.   

The Pack Creek Fire is now 73 percent contained, with fire activity moderated by the increase in moisture and cloud cover. The increase in moisture is forecasted to remain in the Moab valley for the next several days with the possibility of wetting rain over the fire area. The smoke that is visible from Moab is due to fire activity northwest of Mount Tukuhnikivatz, and is inside the fire perimeter. Fire behavior is currently minimal but residents and visitors may continue to see smoke in the coming days. The fire continues to creep and smolder in Geyser Pass in thick Spruce-Fir forest and on Haystack Mountain where the terrain is too steep for crews to safely access. Firefighters will continue to extinguish hot spots and patrol the fire until containment is achieved.
 
The fire information line will be staffed between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm and available for the public to call until the fire is contained or placed in monitor status. A storymap, Fuels Treatments Ease Fire Behavior in Pack Creek (arcgis.com), tells the story of how interagency fuels treatments conducted over several years in the Pack Creek area helped to reduce fire behavior and provided firefighters a safer place to work during the Pack Creek Fire. 
 
The La Sal Loop Road is now open; however The Manti-La Sal National Forest Closure remains in place and the area remains closed for recreation on public lands. The forest closure can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mantilasal/alerts-notices.  It’s recommended to avoid driving on the La Sal Loop Road unless necessary to access private property due to the continued presence of fire traffic. The roads to Oowah Lake, Warner Lake, and Geyser Pass remain closed. Road closures for La Sal Pass Road and Dark Canyon Lake Road remain ongoing due to fire activity on the northeast side of the fire. Evacuations remain in place for the Geyser Pass area, and from Blue Lake to the east towards the Dark Canyon area. 
 
Trail closures associated with the Pack Creek Fire include: the Whole Enchilada, Burro Pass, Dry Fork of Mill Creek, Moonlight Meadows, Clark Lake, Warner to Miners, Mountain View, Schumanns Gulch, Trans La Sal, South Mountain, Pack Creek, and Hells Canyon. Investigators are still seeking leads to help identify those responsible for the fire’s ignition.

Anyone who has information related to the identification of the responsible party of the Pack Creek Fire can call the tip line at 775-355-5337. 

Pack Creek Fire Update
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Contact Fire Information:  (435) 287-4126
Or Nick_Howell@Firenet.gov 
Visit www.utahfireinfo.gov or our storymap at https://arcg.is/SH4Hm0

Start Date: June 9, 2021
Cause: Abandoned campfire
Size in Acres: 8,952
Percent Contained: 66%
Est. Cost to Date: $8.3 mil.
Helicopters: 6
Engines: 17
Crews: 7
Total Personnel: 378

Summary: 

Although a Red Flag Warning for dry lightning remains in place today, a forecasted weather change is expected to bring an increase of moisture and cloud cover, with a moderate chance of rain today into Thursday. Yesterday, visible smoke increased as the sunny and dry conditions ignited interior fuels near Haystack Mountain. Residents and visitors should expect to see smoke and dust devils within the fire perimeter over the next several weeks or until significant precipitation occurs. Crews continue patrolling the fire perimeter in Pack Creek and are working to ensure that no hotspots spread past containment lines.  

The number of personnel working on the fire will continue to decrease as crews time out or are being reassigned to other fires. Crews continue to extinguish hot spots, securing the fire perimeter and backhauling equipment from the fire area that is no longer needed for suppression efforts. Crews completed the contingency fire break along Warner Lake Road and continue the chipping operation around Buried Hatchet and Whispering Oaks. 
 
A new storymap, Fuels Treatments Ease Fire Behavior in Pack Creek (arcgis.com), tells the story of how interagency fuels treatments conducted over several years in the Pack Creek area helped to reduce fire behavior and provided firefighters a safer place to work on the Pack Creek Fire. 

The La Sal Loop Road is now open; however The Manti-La Sal National Forest Closure remains in place and the area remains closed for recreation on public lands. The forest closure can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mantilasal/alerts-notices. 

It’s recommended to avoid driving on the La Sal Loop Road unless necessary to access private property due to the continued presence of heavy fire traffic. The roads to Oowah Lake, Warner Lake, and Geyser Pass remain closed. Road closures for La Sal Pass Road and Dark Canyon Lake Road remain ongoing due to fire activity on the northeast side of the fire. Evacuations remain in place for the Geyser Pass area, and from Blue Lake to the east towards the Dark Canyon area. 

Trail closures associated with the Pack Creek Fire include: the Whole Enchilada, Burro Pass, Dry Fork of Mill Creek, Moonlight Meadows, Clark Lake, Warner to Miners, Mountain View, Schumanns Gulch, Trans La Sal, South Mountain, Pack Creek, and Hells Canyon.

Investigators are still seeking leads to help identify those responsible for the fire’s ignition. Anyone who has information related to the identification of the responsible party of the Pack Creek Fire can call the tip line at 775-355-5337.
 

Pack Creek Fire Update
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Contact Fire Information:  (435) 287-4126

Or Nick_Howell@Firenet.gov 

Visit www.utahfireinfo.gov or our storymap at https://arcg.is/SH4Hm0

Start Date: June 9, 2021
Cause: Abandoned campfire
Size in Acres: 8,952
Percent Contained: 62%
Est. Cost to Date: $7.8 mil.
Helicopters: 9
Engines: 25
Crews: 9
Total Personnel: 483

Summary: 
Firefighters on the Pack Creek Fire continue to make good progress on suppression efforts on the fire’s perimeter, containing 62% of the fire. Today crews will continue to secure lines where they can safely do so.  Some areas of the fire are steep, rocky and inaccessible and will be monitored by both ground and air resources for an increase in activity. The fire remains moderately active in Geyser Pass and Haystack Mountain areas. Smoke was visible yesterday as weather conditions remain at critical levels and are expected to continue over the next two days with winds gusting up to 35 miles per hour today. A Red Flag Warning is in place today and a Fire Weather Watch is in place for Wednesday and Thursday. 
 
Crews continue to find hot spots using unmanned aircraft, equipped with infrared cameras, primarily on the north and east sides of the fire. Pack Creek resources also continue to support the four lightning ignited fires located north of the Moab Valley. The Sego Fire, the largest of the fires, is approximately 150 acres. 
 
The La Sal Loop Road is now open; however The Manti-La Sal National Forest Closure remains in place and the area remains closed for any type of recreation on public lands. The forest closure can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mantilasal/alerts-notices.  It’s recommended to avoid driving on the La Sal Loop Road unless necessary to access private property due to the continued presence of heavy fire traffic. The roads to Oowah Lake, Warner Lake, and Geyser Pass remain closed. Road closures for La Sal Pass Road and Dark Canyon Lake Road remain ongoing due to fire activity on the northeast side of the fire. Evacuations remain in place in and around the area east of Geyser Pass, from Blue Lake to the east towards the Dark Canyon area. 
 
Trail closures associated with the Pack Creek Fire include: the Whole Enchilada, Burro Pass, Dry Fork of Mill Creek, Moonlight Meadows, Clark Lake, Warner to Miners, Mountain View, Schumanns Gulch, Trans La Sal, South Mountain, Pack Creek, and Hells Canyon.

Investigators are still seeking leads to help identify those responsible for the fire’s ignition. Anyone who has information related to the identification of the responsible party of the Pack Creek Fire can call the tip line at 775-355-5337.

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Pack Creek Fire Update

Monday, June 21, 2021

Contact Fire Information:  (435) 287-4126

Or Nick_Howell@Firenet.gov 

Visit www.utahfireinfo.gov or our storymap at https://arcg.is/SH4Hm0
 

Start Date: June 9, 2021
Cause: Abandoned campfire
Size in Acres: 8,949
Percent Contained: 58%
Est. Cost to Date: $7.4 mil.
Helicopters: 10
Engines: 26
Crews: 15
Total Personnel: 549

The Pack Creek Fire is now 58 percent contained. Fire activity is decreasing overall but the northeast side of the fire continues to remain active in inaccessible areas and full containment is expected to remain a challenging task for firefighters. Smoke from interior islands of unburned vegetation located within the fire’s perimeter will likely be visible throughout the next several weeks. The fire will continue to produce varying amounts of smoke in response to changing weather conditions. If a window of favorable conditions occurs, hand crews will continue firing operations in the Geyser Pass area to reduce significant amounts of overgrown vegetation while adding more depth to the fire perimeter. 

Yesterday there were four new lightning ignited fires from Saturday in the vicinity of the Moab Valley. Pack Creek Fire ground and aviation resources responded to the fires, the largest being the Sego Fire, located on the southern end of the Bookcliffs, north of the township of Thompson Springs, in Sego Canyon. Pack Creek Fire resources will continue to provide assistance to the new fires in an attempt to prevent another large incident. 

The La Sal Loop Road is now open; however, The Manti-La Sal National Forest Closure remains in place and the area remains closed for any type of recreation. The forest closure can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mantilasal/alerts-notices. It is recommended to avoid driving on the La Sal Loop Road unless necessary to access private property due to the continued presence of heavy fire traffic. The roads to Oowah Lake and Geyser Pass are still closed. The road closures for La Sal Pass Road and Dark Canyon Lake Road are ongoing due to fire activity on the northeast side of the fire. Evacuations remain in place in and around the area east of Geyser Pass, from Blue Lake to the east towards the Dark Canyon area. 

Investigators are still seeking leads to help identify those responsible for the fire’s ignition. Anyone who has information related to the identification of the responsible party of the Pack Creek Fire can call the tip line at 775-355-5337.

Pack Creek Fire Update
Sunday, June 20, 2021
Contact Fire Information:  (435) 287-4126
Or Nick_Howell@Firenet.gov 
Visit www.utahfireinfo.gov or our storymap at https://arcg.is/SH4Hm0

Start Date: June 9, 2021
Cause: Abandoned campfire
Size in Acres:8,938
Percent Contained:44%
Est. Cost to Date:$6.6 mil.
Helicopters: 10
Engines: 26
Crews:15
Total Personnel:557

Summary: 
 
The Pack Creek Fire did not see any new growth yesterday and containment increased to 44 percent. Containment lines were tested with yesterday’s gusty winds but containment lines held strong through the weather event. Today, increased winds are forecasted with gusts up to 30 miles per hour. Starting Tuesday, dry air is expected to combine with increasing winds to again form potentially critical weather conditions. Moderate fire behavior will continue today in the areas of Oowah Lake, Haystack Mountain, east of Squaw Spring, and Geyser Pass.
 
There are two crews on the Pack Creek Fire that have specialized training with Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to conduct reconnaissance flights over the fire to check for hotspots with infrared technology. The utilization of new technology to gather information from the UAS flights provides fire managers with detailed information to direct the suppression efforts on the Pack Creek Fire. All UAS actions on the fire are implemented under strict coordination with all other fire operations.
 
Over the coming days, crews will use a wood chipper in the Buried Hatchet and Whispering Oaks area to clean up debris and vegetation that was removed during suppression efforts. Crews will continue extinguishing hot spots while strengthening containment lines in areas where there is minimal fire activity with expected critical weather. 
 
The Manti-La Sal National Forest Closure remains in place and the entire area remains closed for any type of access or recreation. The forest closure can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mantilasal/alerts-notices. Residents of lower and upper Pack Creek, Buried Hatchet and Whispering Oaks may access their property via the southside of the La Sal Loop Road with proof of residency. The La Sal Loop Road remains closed to the general public. Evacuations remain in place in and around the area east of Geyser Pass, from Blue Lake to the east towards the Dark Canyon area.  

Investigators are still seeking leads to help identify those responsible for the fire’s ignition. Anyone who has information related to the identification of the responsible party of the Pack Creek Fire can call the tip line at 775-355-5337.
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