Forsyth Fire continues to spread, reaches nearly 9,000 acres, 5% contained

PINE VALLEY, Utah (ABC4) — The Forsyth Fire is now up to 8,899 according to the latest update from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, but according to Utah Fire Info, it is now 5% contained.

5% containment means that 5% of the perimeter of the fire is now considered to be contained, or surrounded by a fuel break.

Officials said that fire crews have been working 24/7 and 14 hour shifts, fighting and building breaks between the town and the the fire to protect homes and buildings within and around the fire’s perimeter.

The number of people fighting the fire has tripled since it first started on June 19. Currently, 696 personnel are working on the fire, that includes firefighters, crews operating helicopters and fire engines.

Fire caused due to lightning

On Tuesday, June 24, the U.S. Forest Service released pictures of the tree struck by lightning that sparked the Forsyth Fire.

During the investigation, Initial Attack crews analyzed data that showed a thunderstorm moving through the area on June 9 and found “a visible lightning strike near the origin on a steep, rocky slope of the wilderness area.”

Inspecting the tree found that lightning struck the base of the tree and fire ignited within the trunk.

The Bureau of Land Management-Fire said wildland firefighters can encounter thunderstorms and lightning as they work to put out wildfires across the country.

Tackling the fire

 First responders have moved their incident camp from Grass Valley to Enterprise. Pine Valley and Grass Valley are under evacuation orders and the town of Pinto is on standby.

Half of the camp has been set up in Enterprise High School. Classrooms are filled with different taskforces–strategists, volunteer medics, national weather service, and NOAA.

According to Mike Johnston, the Incident Commander of the Great Basin Complex Incident Management team 7 who is in-charge of the fire, the team continues to coordinate closely with the Dixie National Forest, State of Utah Forestry, Fire and State Lands, and local cooperators to ensure incident objectives are met and values at risk are protected, all while prioritizing firefighter and public safety.

So far 13 structures have been destroyed and no additional losses have been reported.

Winds are expected to continue from the southwest at speeds of 8-14 mph, according to officials. Firefighters are monitoring for spot fires that could ignite outside the current fire perimeter. The fire is expected to remain active throughout the night.

The U.S. Forest Service says aerial operations continue to support suppression activities by
bringing supplies to remote crews and dropping water to aid in mop up activity.