ST. GEORGE — Red flag conditions with gusty winds and low humidity caused spot fires on Wednesday outside the south end of the perimeter of the human-caused Left Fork Fire, which is burning 97 acres in the Dixie National Forest’s Powell Ranger District, according to a U.S. Forest Service news release.
The quick reaction of crews allowed them to get a handline around the spots, the release said. Fire crews and engines continued direct suppression tactics, securing a fire line with the help of helicopters that dropped buckets of water on areas of concentrated heat near the edge of the fire.
Fire managers request the public’s assistance by avoiding the area to allow fire resources to access the fire. The Left Fork Fire is 3.2 miles west of Podunk Guard Station. Containment remains at 60%, as of Friday.
The news release went on to say that fire crews will use water from hose lays and helicopter water bucket drops to work the fire perimeter inward to extinguish any pockets of heat. This will secure the fire line and keep the fire within its existing footprint. The Forest Service also said the fire, which first was reported Monday, likely will continue its minimal, creeping behavior within the fire perimeter.
As winds were expected to increase Thursday afternoon, the release said, there was potential for spot fires testing the fire’s perimeter.
Current resources being employed include seven engines, five hand crews and two water tenders.
Today is the last operational shift for most resources on the Left Fork Fire as fire management transitions back to the local unit tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. and will be managed by Type IV Incident Commander. Wildland fire crews will continue mop-up the fire’s edge to ensure any heat within the fire’s perimeter is not a threat to the control features in place. Some crews will remain on the Left Fork Fire for several days to patrol for smoke and mop-up as needed, finish backhaul of equipment that is no longer in use, and to complete suppression repair. As work is accomplished, resources will be released and made available to respond to other priority fires.
Photo Gallery
Map from Utah Wildfire Information website show the location of the Left Fork Fire, May 12, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Utah Fire Information, St. George News Charred area from the Left Fork Fire, which is burning in Dixie National Forest, May 11, 2022 | Photo by Mervin Garcia, courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service, St. George News Smoke rises from the Left Fork Fire, which is burning in Dixie National Forest, May 11, 2022 | Photo by Mervin Garcia, courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service, St. George News Aerial view of the Left Fork Fire, which is burning in Dixie National Forest, May 11, 2022 | Photo courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service, St. George News Hand crew works the Left Fork Fire, which is burning in Dixie National Forest, May 11, 2022 | Photo by Mervin Garcia, courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service, St. George News
