Bennion Creek Fire: 8,313 acres, 94% containment. Began June 4, 2021.

Update: Firefighters are continuing to make solid progress on the fire suppression repair work on the Bennion Creek Fire. It is estimated that this work is 70% completed. Minimal fire activity was observed yesterday on the north, east, and south sides of the fire. On the western flank of the fire, crews continued to monitor areas of heat, including a 2-3 acre island that exhibited moderate fire behavior. The island is being monitored for any potential spotting that could potentially impact the fire containment. A reconnaissance flight will be flown over the fire today to monitor the fire area.

The crew will continue the suppression repair work today as well as monitor for any threats to the fire perimeter. They are also looking at their long term plan for the western flank of the fire where the high country makes it difficult to access. 

Weather: Widespread rain showers with isolated thunderstorms are expected this morning, transitioning to scattered wet/dry thunderstorms by this afternoon. These storms have the potential to produce strong, gusty outflow winds and locally heavy rainfall. This rain may increase the flash flooding and debris flow threat this afternoon an in to the early evening today. These showers will persist through the evening, and decrease in intensity. Isolated wet/dry thunderstorms are anticipated for Friday.

Resources: A total of 85 firefighters are assigned to the fire. Resources include 1 hand crew, 3 helicopters, 4 engines, 1 dozer, 2 excavators and 1 chipper.

Closures: Bennion Ridge Road, Bear Ridge Road, Starvation Road, and Fish Creek Trail. These closures are for public and firefighter safety.

Restrictions: Fire restrictions in effect on state and Utah BLM lands. A Stage 1 Fire Restriction is in effect on the Manti-La Sal National Forest. Complete information on all of these restrictions may be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/announcements/7518/ .

Jurisdiction: The fire is in the jurisdiction of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, state and private lands. Nevada Type 3 Incident Management Team 1 is managing the fire.

 

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Bennion Creek Fire: 8,313 acres, 94% containment. Began June 4, 2021.

Update: Yesterday, crews noticed an area of heat on the western flank of the fire. Helicopter bucket drops were used in this area to mitigate and keep this area of the fire in check. Most of the fire perimeter is in monitor and patrol status. Equipment, such as water hose lays, is being backhauled off of the fire.

Fireline suppression repair activities are progressing on the eastern and southeastern edges of the fire. This work is being completed with hand crews, engines, excavators, and a chipper. This work is estimated to be 60% completed and is anticipated to be done in the next several work shifts.

Weather: 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.

Resources: A total of 107 firefighters are assigned to the fire. Resources include 2 hand crews, 5 helicopters, 4 engines, 1 dozer, 2 excavators and 1 chipper.

Closures: Bennion Ridge Road, Bear Ridge Road, Starvation Road, and Fish Creek Trail. These closures are for public and firefighter safety.

Restrictions: There are fire restrictions in effect on state and Utah BLM lands. A Stage 1 Fire Restriction is in effect on the Manti-La Sal National Forest. Complete information on all of these restrictions may be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/announcements/7518/ .

Jurisdiction: The fire is in the jurisdiction of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, state and private lands. Nevada Type 3 Incident Management Team 1 is managing the fire.

 

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Bennion Creek Fire: 8,313 acres, 80% containment. Began June 4, 2021.

Update: Containment on the Bennion Creek Fire has increased to 80%, and acreage remains at 8,313. As of this morning, the Nevada Type 3 Incident Management Team is managing the Bennion Creek Fire.

Helicopter bucket drops were used on the fire yesterday where areas of heat and smoke were visible. The hose lays on the western flank and spot fire are no longer needed and are in the process of being backhauled off of the line.  The wood chipping work along Starvation Road is anticipated to be completed today. Other repairs that are being made include repair work to roads damaged during firefighting efforts. 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 Bennion Creek 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.

Weather: 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.

Resources: A total of 111 firefighters are assigned to the fire. Resources include 2 hand crews, 5 helicopters, 4 engines, 1 dozer, 2 excavators and 2 chippers.

Closures: Bennion Ridge Road, Bear Ridge Road, Starvation Road, and Fish Creek Trail. These closures are for public and firefighter safety.

Restrictions: There are fire restrictions in effect on state and Utah BLM lands. A Stage 1 Fire Restriction is in effect on the Manti-La Sal National Forest. Complete information on all of these restrictions may be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/announcements/7518/ .

Jurisdiction: The fire is in the jurisdiction of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, state and private lands. Nevada Type 3 Incident Management Team is managing the fire.

 

Bennion Creek Fire: 8,313 acres, 64% containment. Began June 4, 2021.

Update: Containment on the Bennion Creek Fire has increased to 64%, and acreage remains at 8,313. 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.

Much of the perimeter of the fire is showing as contained, with uncontained areas remaining on the southeast and northwest corners of the fire. Crews will continue to mop and secure uncontained areas of the fire’s edge. The entire fire line will be patrolled, isolated smokes inside the fire line may continue to be visible.

Where areas are showing containment, suppression repair work is in progress. This means that crews are repairing damages made by firefighting efforts and mitigating remaining issues such as hazard trees close to roads and structures. This work is anticipated to continue until the area is safe for the public and firefighters.  

Weather: 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.

Resources: A total of 189 firefighters are assigned to the fire. Resources include 5 hand crews, 5 helicopters, 6 engines, 1 dozer, 2 excavators and 2 chippers.

Closures: Bennion Ridge Road, Bear Ridge Road, Starvation Road, and Fish Creek Trail. These closures are for public and firefighter safety.

Restrictions: There are fire restrictions in effect on state and Utah BLM lands. A Stage 1 Fire Restriction is in effect on the Manti-La Sal National Forest. Complete information on all of these restrictions may be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/announcements/7518/ .

Jurisdiction: The fire is in the jurisdiction of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, state and private lands. California Interagency Incident Management Team 10 is managing the fire.

 

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Bennion Creek Fire: 8,313 acres, 63% containment. Began June 4, 2021.

 

Update: Containment on the Bennion Creek Fire has increased to 63%, and acreage remains at 8,313. 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.

 

Crews have made good progress on the southeastern corner of the fire, containment in this area extends north of Fish Creek Ridge. Further north, crews will continue their progress mopping up areas of heat and working deeper in to the higher country. The eastern edge of the fire and spot fire, will continue to be patrolled for any signs of fire activity. Firefighters continue to secure the southeast corner of the fire with hose lays, mop up and patrol. Equipment arrived yesterday to begin assisting in fireline suppression efforts on the fire.

 

Weather: 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.

 

Resources: A total of 238 firefighters are assigned to the fire. Resources include 7 hand crews, 5 helicopters, and 6 engines.

 

Closures: Bennion Ridge Road, Bear Ridge Road, Starvation Road, and Fish Creek Trail. These closures are for public and firefighter safety.

Restrictions: There are fire restrictions in effect on state and Utah BLM lands. A Stage 1 Fire Restriction is in effect on the Manti-La Sal. Complete information on all of these restrictions may be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/announcements/7518/ .

Jurisdiction: The fire is in the jurisdiction of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, state and private lands. California Interagency Incident Management Team 10 is managing the fire.

 

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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 59% containment and the Bennion Creek fire had no growth and is at 8329 acres with 41% 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 another system arriving today will provide the possibility for rapid fire spread and fire growth.

Smoke

Smoke production from both fires will be minimal today due to interior smoldering. There is a chance of more smoke this afternoon as a new system arrives today creating increased winds with dry thunderstorms which could increase fire activity. If the fire doesn't become more active we will see less smoke with good air quality into the weekend. In general, expect good air quality today in all areas except Spanish Fork which could see air quality in the moderate ranges.

Today's Message

When you see smoke it is usually the large particles like PM10 that you are seeing. While this is not good to breathe in, it is usually filtered by our human body microscopic hairs called cilia that create mucus. It is the small particles of PM2.5 and smaller that our body doesn't filter and when the cilia are overworked and goes directly into our bloodstream. The PM2.5 is what we monitor for during a wildfire smoke event.

Update: Acreage on the Bennion Creek Fire remains at 8,313 acres, and containment on the Fire has increased to 45%.  A printable version of today’s fire map may be found here: https://tinyurl.com/3bjbhvtp . 

Firefighters have continued to make good progress over the entire fire perimeter. Crews are using hose lays along the southwestern corner, to strengthen that fire line. North of Bennion Creek, crews will continue to work deeper in to the higher country. Containment on the northern edge continues to increase as crews continue their effort to establish control lines around areas of heat. The eastern edge of the fire, including the spot over Starvation Road, is being patrolled for any areas of isolated heat. Suppression repair work on these contained lines has begun. Work will continue on the southeast corner of the fire, securing and enhancing the fire line.

 

Weather: A RED FLAG WARNING is in effect for the fire through Sunday evening. Dry thunderstorms are expected through this evening which may produce erratic winds and gusty outflows of up to 60 mph. The highest chance for these storms is between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Temperatures today will reach to 84° on the ridgetops, and humidity levels are at 12-22%. Winds on Sunday are expected to strengthen out of the northwest, with slightly decreased humidity levels.

 

Resources: A total of 283 firefighters are assigned to the fire. Resources include 10 hand crews, 5 helicopters, 14 Engines, and 1 dozer.

Closures: Bennion Ridge Road, Forest Road 0008 (Bear Ridge Road), Starvation Road, and Fish Creek Trail. These closures are for public and firefighter safety.

Restrictions: There are fire restrictions in effect on state and Utah BLM lands. A Stage 1 Fire Restriction is in effect on the Manti-La Sal. Complete information on all of these restrictions may be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/announcements/7518/ .

Jurisdiction: The fire is in the jurisdiction of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, state and private lands. California Interagency Incident Management Team 10 is managing the fire.

 

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

A printable version of today's complete update may be found under "Related Information" below.

Bennion Creek Fire: 8,329 acres, 41% containment. Began June 4, 2021.

Update: There was no additional growth on the Bennion Creek Fire, the acreage remains at 8,329 acres. Containment on the Fire is now up to 41%. The containment is along and west of Starvation Road, as well as the entire spot east of the road. A printable version of today’s fire map may be found here: https://tinyurl.com/27vp38fe.

Crews will continue work on the southeastern flank of the fire, progressing in the high country. They will be mopping up and securing fireline, with crews coming from both the northern and southern corner of the fire. Firefighters will continue to secure fire line perimeter, and cold trail areas of heat on the northern fire edge. Crews will work on the southeastern corner of the fire, securing additional fire line that is not yet contained along Starvation Road. On the western edge of the fire, and on the spot fire east of Starvation Road, crews will begin fireline suppression repair work today.

As a reminder, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are now effect on the Manti-La Sal Forest.

Weather: A RED FLAG WARNING is in effect for the fire through Sunday evening. Dry thunderstorms are expected on the fire area today. The highest potential for these storms today is between 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. These storms will bring gusty outflow winds of 30-40 mph with potential gusts of up to 60 mph. A slight chance of downpours from these storms may produce burn scar debris flow from heavier thunderstorms.

Resources: A total of 283 firefighters are assigned to the fire. Resources include 10 hand crews, 5 helicopters, 14 Engines, and 2 dozers.

Closures: Bennion Ridge Road, Forest Road 0008 (Bear Ridge Road), Starvation Road, and Fish Creek Trail. These closures are for public and firefighter safety.

Evacuations: There are currently no mandatory evacuations for the fire.

Restrictions: There are fire restrictions in effect on state and Utah BLM lands. A Stage 1 Fire Restriction is now in effect on the Manti-La Sal. Complete information on all of these restrictions may be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/announcements/7518/ .

Jurisdiction: The fire is in the jurisdiction of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, state and private lands. California Interagency Incident Management Team 10 is managing the fire.

 

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