Monroe Canyon Fire grows amid hottest temperatures yet, heavy smoke expected in Richfield

RICHFIELD, Utah (ABC4) — The Monroe Canyon Fire burning in Sevier County continues to grow, with Monday bringing the “hottest temperatures so far” and a Red Flag Warning in place, according to an incident update. Heavy smoke is expected to continue in the vicinity of Richfield due to the wildfire, according to Utah Fire Info.

Sunday saw active fire behavior due to fuels in the path of the advancing fire and critical fire weather in the area, officials said. A Red Flag Warning remained in place Sunday with extremely low relative humidities, high temperatures, and strong winds.

The most active part of the fire is reportedly on the northern and eastern end near Elk Country, Porters, Big Lake, and Long Flat. Firefighters observed “intense fire activity” in those areas, the update states.

Firefighters are actively working to defend structures in the Long Flat and Porter’s areas north of the fire. Crews are also prepping roads in the Big Lake area to be used as fire lines and building dozer lines west of Bear Valley Road along utility corridors.

See below for a progression map of the Monroe Canyon Fire since its ignition two weeks ago. Each color represents a different day, with the large, orange-looking portion in the middle showing explosive growth from last Friday.

The Red Flag Warning is in place through today, July 28.

“We will experience our hottest temperatures so far, hitting the upper 80’s at 7,000’. Relative humidity remains in the low teens and winds will continue from the southwest with gusts up to 30 mph,” the update states. “Like yesterday, the western side of the fire remains active in the lower portions of Monroe Canyon and on Monkey Flat. Flames and smoke from both areas are visible from the town of Monroe. Here the fire is slowly backing through pockets of intermittent fuel and steep terrain.”

The closure order on the Fishlake National Forest has been adjusted. The Forest Supervisor signed an updated closure order this morning, July 28, changing the boundary and opening up more of the southern end of the Monroe Mountain range. That closure order can be found here.

There is a public meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight, July 28, at the Sorenson Administration building at Snow College. You can attend the meeting virtually here. You can sign up for Sevier County Code Red here.