ANTELOPE ISLAND, Utah, July 26, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — The Antelope Island wildfire is out. Almost officially.
“Nothing is actively burning right now, but we have to be sure,” said Jeremy Shaw, Antelope Island Park Manager.
Shaw said a fire expert will be traveling the island, at least until Monday. The worker is authorized to call in firefighters and helicopters if needed.
But if no hot spots are found, the West Antelope Fire will “officially” be history.
The fire burned brush on a bit more than half the island, affecting an estimated 14,560 out of the island’s 28,800 acres. One firefighter was treated for heat-related injuries during the four-day burn.
Shaw said there is no evidence of wildlife being injured in the fire, and plenty of grassland remains to sustain the bison, jackrabbits, pronghorn and other species.
“We retained enough habitat, and we’re going to look at some reseeding efforts.”
Shaw said most of the island is covered with cheatgrass, an invasive species that chokes out other plants, dies early in the season, and dries out.
“We are hoping with can reseed with beneficial grass,” Shaw said. “The grass is going to grow back eventually better than ever. By fall, you will be able to look out and see green again. The grass is going to grow back and eventually will be better than ever.”
Shaw said the back county trails remain closed, but if the island gets the “all clear” on Monday, those trails also will open Monday.
I have a ton of photos from when the fire began to this morning. We live on a mountain opposite to antelope island and can see everything. Email me if you want the pictures.