Forsyth Fire crosses 8,000 acres, fire weather critical with overall drying trend

PINE VALLEY, Utah (ABC4) — The Forsyth Fire that is been burning since Thursday, June 19 has now crossed 8,229 acres and remains at 0% containment, according to the latest information released by the U.S. Forest Service- Dixie National Forest.

As of Tuesday morning, a total of 509 personnel are responding to the fire. Officials say they expect winds at the speed of 15-20 mph to come in from the southwest. They see an overall drying trend, raising the potential for critical fire weather as the weekend approaches, with potential red flag warnings Thursday and Friday.

Evacuation orders are still in place for Pine Valley and Grass Valley. Residents of Pinto are on standby.

Sloped terrain, unseasonably dry fuels, low humidity, and strong winds continue to drive
fire growth on the east side of the fire, according to the latest press release from the U.S. Forest Service.

Tackling the wildfire

On Monday, firefighters rappelled from helicopters into areas near the old burn scar on the southwest edge of the fire. On Tuesday, crews will continue on the southwest ridgeline and begin work in Lloyd Canyon to protect structures in the area, Mike Johnston, Incident Commander with the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 7 noted in the release.

Crews are working on protecting Pine Valley Recreation Area campgrounds, laying hose lines and reducing fire activity. As of Monday, 13 structures have been destroyed.

History in flames

Pine Valley is a historic town settled in the 1850s with strong pioneer ties. Some people who live in the valley have owned family property for decades.

“It should have burned, I don’t know why it didn’t,” Lynn Peetz is now calling her cabin the ‘Miracle Log Cabin.’ Its the only home left standing in her neighborhood.

“Why do you think it was still standing… Grace of God, praise of God he had his hand. He had his hand over. There’s no other explanation to take care. That’s the only way that I can think of anyway,’ Peetz told ABC4.

Another resident, Larry Gardner, watched the flames overtake their homes after living in the valley for 74 years.

“I guess the same emotion that some of those my good friends, 13 of them, lost their homes. We worked all Thursday night to try and save them and then the wind came up the next morning and they were gone in a few minutes and just really difficult,” Gardner said.

“It’s very humbling when you’re loading up your cars as you try to decide what you’re going to take and you have family who are the only ones that matter. It’s hard,” Reed Mcarthur, another Pine Valley resident shared similar emotional sentiments.

Firefighters like Mark Owens feel it too. “Being deployed to do structure protection and feeling that the structures are in good shape they’re safe and then calling a friend and saying your place is OK and then six hours later calling my friend and say your place is gone.”

But in the smoke, some people like Bradly Root find some hope.

“It’s just what happens when a disaster hits. The worst things happen and it brings out the best in people people are looking out for their neighbors even when something bad happens to them. First thing they say is what can I do to help?”

Lenae Peavey, who is a Central Volunteer with the EMT says Pine Valley is part of them. “It doesn’t matter where you live. Now we’re all family.”