Monroe Canyon Fire gets slight break as Red Flag conditions suspended for first time in 9 days

RICHFIELD, Utah (ABC4) — The Monroe Canyon Fire burning near Richfield in Sevier County is getting a slight break as the fire is no longer under Red Flag conditions for the first time in nine days, according to an incident update on Sunday.

Today, Aug. 3, is the first day in nine days that the wildfire has not been under Red Flag conditions. This is due to slightly lower wind speeds, officials said. However, Red Flag conditions are expected to return tomorrow, Aug. 4, and persist moving forward.

“We remain in a fire weather watch,” the incident update states. “Temperatures around the fire have been in the high 80s and low 90s. Humidities across the landscape have been around 5%. Fuel moistures remain historically low at around 8%.”

The Monroe Canyon Fire made an “afternoon run” that burned from Manning Meadows Reservoir to the 2014 Box Creek Rx and the 2012 Box Creek Rx, according to Sunday’s update. When the fire reached the prescribed burn, officials said the fire was pushed north, running back into itself and burning out.

Another weather-driven run happened on the north side of Indian Peak but was reportedly stopped on the ridgeline when the fire reached the 2016 Indian Peak Rx. A third run also occurred near the recent Cove Fire and Bear Valley Road.

Crews continue to build out fire line in multiple areas and hope to conduct small tactical firing operations in the coming days in order to create a larger fire break that will help the wildfire from burning more towards Monroe.

Evacuation orders for people living in certain areas of Monroe Canyon have been lifted, according to the Sevier County Emergency Management system.