BRIAN HEAD, Utah, July 16, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — The Brian Head fire is now 93 percent contained after sparking to life one month ago, officials said Sunday.
The fire has grown to 71,673 acres after it began Saturday, June 17, an update from Utah Fire Info on Twitter said.
There are still 407 personnel on the incident including 10 crews. Also in use are two helicopters, and 12 engines.
The update said: “There is a Dixie National Forest area closure for the Brian Head Fire. Forest managers ask the public not to enter into the fire area. Firefighters are working with heavy equipment and aircraft. The area is dangerous due to snags, sink holes and hot spots.
“As firefighters work along and drive the highway in their large apparatus we ask that the public give them room, drive slow. It is extremely hard to stop one of those big engines.”
As operations begin to wind down crews are being sent to other fires in the region, the update said.
On Monday, Great Basin Incident Management Team 7 will turn the fire over to the local unit and it will be managed as a Type 4 organization.
“Air quality is good and recreation activities are available and open,” the post concludes. “Come and support local businesses that have been impacted by the fire.”
The Brian Head Fire started around midday June 17, and grew quickly through dense timber on lands administered by Brian Head Town and Iron County, in cooperation with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands. It has since burned onto lands managed by Dixie National Forest and Color Country District Bureau of Land Management.
Cedar Breaks National Monument remains open, with access via Highway 14.
Evacuation is lifted but forest is still closed. Two different things. People can go to private and stay but can’t wonder around forest roads. FYI