Monroe Canyon Fire grows over 11,000 acres in 24 hours, crosses 48,000 acres due to active winds

RICHFIELD, Utah (ABC4) — The Monroe Canyon Fire burning in Sevier County in Utah is now at 48,363 acres and 11% containment, according to the latest information from the Utah Department of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.

Officials said that extreme fire behavior on Wednesday, in addition to winds blowing up to 36 mph, led to very active fire patterns on multiple fronts. The Great Basin Complex Incident Management team who is overseeing firefighting operations said they say a rise in spot fires up to a half mile along the fire perimeter.

The fire has burnt 12 power lines so far and houses in the area have been out of power since Wednesday, 3 p.m.

Large fire runs are expected for the next several days as dry fuels from drought, combined with red flag weather is leading to an increase in fire behavior.

Crews say Dry Creek saw the most activity on Wednesday with large, wind-driven pushes toward settlement south of Monroe, triggering an evacuation order. Additional heavy equipment and crews from surrounding divisions were also rerouted to reinforce units already there and engage the fire in the area and protect structures.

Highway 24 near Bear Valley and Burrville were shut due to smoke. As of Wednesday, evacuations were extended to the Burrville and Monroe Canyon areas, as well as parts of Poverty Flat, because of the Fire.

Active weather conditions

A Red Flag warning has been extended until Saturday at 10 p.m. Crews say temperatures around the fire have been in the high 80s and low 90s. Inversions have been lifting around noon each day, increasing airflow into the fire.

About 1,132 fire personnel are fighting the fire, with the main focus on protecting structures. It’s now the largest fire in Utah for 2025 Fire season. There are currently 7 helicopters, 2 scoopers, and 3 air attack platforms assigned to the incident. Heavy air tankers are also on standby.

In the Elk country area, crews stayed as long as they could, working to defend structures, before
finally, being forced to retreat due to the fire spread and the threat of being cut off. Fire on the northwest front pushed into Water Creek Canyon and overran Long Flat. Crews will reenter and assess impacts to properties as soon as possible.