ST. GEORGE — Interagency firefighting efforts continued Saturday on the lightning-caused Mt. Emma Fire located 75 miles southeast of St. George. The blaze was approximately 4,201 acres, according to an interagency press release issued Saturday. The fire continues to burn within Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument’s Mount Logan Wilderness and Grand Canyon National Park.
As firefighters remain busy with lightning-caused fires from recent thunderstorms, they are asking for everyone’s help in preventing human caused fires. Remember the use of fireworks is prohibited on public lands.
Read more: Southern Utah Fireworks Guide for 2015; find your city permissions, restrictions here
The fire continues to benefit from moisture and the increased humidity provided by recent storm activity. This has moderated fire activity and less smoke is visible as a result. Smoke continues to be visible on the northeastern side of the fire, remaining active mostly on the interior, and has not contributed to any significant fire growth or movement.
Resources on scene continue to monitor the progression of the fire and the weather, adjusting their tactics and resources as needed, while also ensuring firefighter safety, as they are working in rough terrain.
With the ongoing fire activities and holiday weekend, there is still a significant amount of traffic in the area of the fire; therefore fire managers request the public’s help in ensuring safety on backcountry roadways in the vicinity of the fire.
There are no road or trail closures anticipated at this time. Smoke may be visible from St. George and Kanab; Fredonia and the North and South Rims in Arizona.
Fire history
The fire began June 24, at 4:40 p.m. on the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument and burned into Grand Canyon National Park June 25.
The fire is burning in open ponderosa pine, pinyon and juniper.
The Mt. Emma Fire is burning in and out of the footprint of the 1999 Emma Fire which burned 1,286 acres. It is also located northwest of the 2005 Tuweep fire which burned 1,866 acres.
Related posts
- Mt. Emma Fire receives moisture; less smoke, moderated fire
- Mt. Emma Fire update: continued burning, no major growth
- Mt. Emma Fire continues to grow, expands toward summer cabin
- UPDATE: Mt. Emma fire grows from 194 acres to 3,295 acres in 3 days
- Mt. Emma Fire burning in Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument
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