GARFIELD COUNTY, Utah, June 25, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) -- The Forsyth Fire had reached nearly 8,900 acres as of Wednesday's updated report and remained at 0% contained.
Personnel assigned to the fire now number 696.
"Crews continue to construct handline across the southwest side of the fire perimeter; connecting from the Saddle Fire scar along the west side of Pine Valley," the Wednesday morning update says. "Additionally, in this area, a hose line is being laid around the community.
"Inside Pine Valley, crews remain ready in case the fire moves back toward residential areas. Firing operations have been completed around the summer home community, removing vegetation between the fire’s edge and the residences.
"Firefighters are also working to mop up and cool the burned perimeter in this area to help secure the line. Aerial operations continue to support suppression activities by bringing supplies to remote crews and dropping water to aid in mop up activity."
The firefighting operation commander shared a photo of the tree struck by lightning and believed to have started the wildfire.
"During Initial Attack (IA) on June 19, 2025, the IA Incident Commander discovered a tree strike near the point of origin in the Pine Valley Wilderness Area. During the investigation, data showed a thunderstorm had moved through the area 10 days prior, with a visible lightning strike near the origin on a steep, rocky slope of the wilderness area," a news release says.
"Evaluation of the tree showed the strike hit the base, igniting a fire within the trunk. With these types of strikes, the immense heat vaporizes the sap and moisture inside the tree. This intense heat ignites the wood from within, creating a slow, flameless form of combustion known as smoldering.
"This can continue within the tree for an extended period, even days or weeks, without an obvious flame. Encompassed within the tree, the fire remained undetected until winds picked up during the red flag warning on Thursday. These high winds increased the fire activity, and caused the smoke to finally be visible."
