France Canyon Wildfire continues to grow with high winds

PANGUITCH, Utah (ABC4) — Red flag conditions are causing the France Canyon Fire to continue to spread through Dixie National Forest.

The fire reached over 9,500 acres of coverage by Friday morning and its northwestern edge is now spreading in the direction of Blue Fly Canyon. 558 personnel are currently dispatched to fight the fire, per a U.S. Forest Service press release. The Complex Incident Management Team (CMIT) is expected to assume control of the fire on Sunday

The fire was too active to attack directly on Friday, but crews are utilizing bulldozers on its western side to prevent any movement towards Hatch. Crews are confident they will be able to prevent the fire from moving into Bryce Canyon National Park as well.

Today, crews are attempting to fight the fire between Big Hollow and Hillsdale Canyons and are working to protect King Creek campground and the infrastructure around Wilson Peak.

17 hand crews, 3 bulldozers, and 17 fire engines, along with multiple helicopters and air tankers from a variety of agencies and states across the western U.S. are working to extinguish the fire.

Weather:

Red Flag warnings continue to be in effect with sustained winds of around 20 mph and gusts increasing to 40 to 50 mph. Relative humidity remains low at around 10-15% with maximum temperatures ranging from 75-80 degrees.  

Closures:

All National Forest System lands south of Utah State Route 12, on the Powell Ranger District, with the exception of the trails and campgrounds (Red Canyon Campground, Red Canyon Bike Trail #33016, Castle Bridge Trail #33096, Golden Wall Trail #33095, and Forest Road 113 in Red Canyon. The East Fork Road (087) remains closed. 

For Dixie National Forest updates regarding the France Canyon Fire, visit their website.