Containment jumps on Monroe Canyon Fire, Red Flag Warning back in place

RICHFIELD, Utah (ABC4) — The Monroe Canyon Fire burning near Richfield in Sevier County has reached 13% containment — a 9% jump from Sunday, according to an incident update on Monday.

The wildfire is currently mapped at 62,719 acres. A community meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight, Aug. 4, at the Sorensen Administrative Building on the Snow College Campus, located at 800 West 200 South, Richfield, Utah. You can attend virtually through Microsoft Teams here.

A Red Flag Warning is back in effect today. Wind speeds will return to the high 20s-30s, and temperatures will be in the high 80s and 90s as the cloud cover passes. Humidities across the landscape will stay at around 5% and fuel moistures are historically low at around 8%.

Courtesy of U.S. Forest Service – Fishlake National Forest

On Sunday, fire crews were able to gain some control amid lower temperatures and milder winds. They were primarily able to improve containment lines along Hwy 24, while night shift crews worked spot fires that came over the ridge at Elk Country.

In the south, crews worked lines running from Elk Country, through Bagley Ranch, and down to above Manning Meadows.

“South of Manning Meadows over to the reservoir they continue to hold an area of heavy, timber laden fuel pockets,” Monday’s update states. “At the reservoir, the spot fires burned themselves out overnight. As in other areas, a prescribed fire treatment from 2019 and 2020 slowed the fire’s progression and greatly aided in keeping it from making a large run.”

Courtesy of U.S. Forest Service – Fishlake National Forest

In the west, above Monroe, crews improved lines above Poverty Flat down to Hunts Lake. In the north at Annabella and Glenwood, crews have been using heavy equipment to build contingency line along the base of the hills, running up past the mouth of Water Creek Canyon.

In the east, down the Hwy 24 corridor, the fire that came out of Bear Valley and over Mormon Mountain was reportedly held on the road and is now contained.

For the most current status of the Monroe Canyon Fire, visit the incident webpage here.