Monroe Canyon Fire passes 8,600 acres in size, still 0% completion

RICHFIELD, Utah (ABC4) — The Monroe Canyon Fire has almost doubled in size since Monday, reaching over 8,600 acres.

As of Wednesday morning, the Great Basin Team 3, a Complex Incident Management Team, took command of the fire that remains at 0% completion.

Crews say Tuesday’s cloud cover and light rain helped calm extreme fire behavior that firefighters saw on Monday. However, firefighters expect more aggressive fire behavior on the southwest and northeast sides of the fire.

“Our biggest concern is over here on the East side of the fire,” Brad Mihelic, operations section chief with Great Basin Team 3, said Wednesday.

Fire officials with Great Basin Team 3 say windblown embers may cause spot fires up to a half mile ahead of the blaze.

Tuesday morning, crews say the fire grew significantly and made a push northeast to the Magelby area.

Structure protection has become a priority in Monroe and Manning Meadows. Great Basin Team 3 expects the fire to travel primarily northeast, according to Mihelic. “In Manning Meadows, there’s a big group of structures in here that we have crews working.”

The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

A total of 250 fire personnel remain on scene fighting the fire.