Southern Utah’s ‘Mile Marker 122 Fire’ jumps in size, 1,000 acres charred

These images were taken of the Mile Marker 122 fire, north of Beaver, Utah. Photos: Utah Fire Info

BEAVER, Utah, Aug. 22, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — A new wildfire, sparked Thursday morning north of Beaver, has grown from 50 to 1,000 acres in a few short hours, and closed Interstate 15, though both directions are now reopened.

Utah Fire Info says the wildfire, called the Mile Marker 122 Fire, started at about 10 miles north of Beaver, and was human caused.

The fire was first reported at 12:26 a.m. Thursday.

As of 1:18 p.m. Thursday, it involved 350 acres, a subsequent tweet said.

A fire near Beaver Utah has closed Interstate 15 on Thursday Aug 22 2019 Photo EbornEmmy

At 6:30 p.m. it was reportedly 25 percent contained after multiple firefighting resources were rushed to the scene.

The fire’s behavior is described as “running and torching.” According to the National Park Service’s fire terminology guide:

  • “Running” refers to the “the rapid advance of the head of a fire with a marked change in fire line intensity and rate of spread from that noted before and after the advance.”
  • “Torching” refers to “the ignition and flare-up of a tree or small group of trees, usually from bottom to top.”

Gephardt Daily will have more information as it becomes available.

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