Brian Head Fire grows as red-flag warning continues


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PANGUITCH — The fire near Brian Head has forced 1,500 people out of their homes and burned nearly 50,000 acres as of Tuesday night.

At last estimate, the nation's largest fire in Brian Head caused an estimated $10 million in damage. It reached 49,626 acres Tuesday evening as red-flag weather was anticipated Wednesday for a third day in a row; it was 10 percent contained in the evening.

Wednesday morning update
  • 53,299 acres burned
  • 10% contained

Firefighters made progress limiting the fire's spread on its northwest side, where timber gave way to stubbier sage and grass, and they set off a controlled fire nearby to set the perimeter.

Other teams also were doing safety checks on the road in Parowan Canyon.

Teams were expected to try to strengthen the containment line Wednesday on the rocky, wooded south end of the fire despite lava fields there, authorities reported. They also were planning to douse areas across state Route 143 where winds pushed the flames. The road remained closed.

State Rep. Mike Noel told reporters Monday that federal policies and environmental lawsuits have blocked logging in the region, creating fuel for fires as dead trees linger long after they were killed by pests.

"When we turned the Forest Service over to the bird and bunny lovers and the tree huggers and the rock lickers," the Kanab Republican said, "we turned our history over."

Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox also chimed in.

"There's no question that our inability to manage the forests the way they should and could be managed has led to more destruction," he said.

The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance said the statements were misleading, and countered in a prepared statment that climate change, drought, human activity and wind all play roles. The group noted some of the land affected by the fire are controlled by the state.

The fire that started June 17 has forced the evacuation of 600 homes in Upper Bear Valley, Panguitch Lake, Horse Valley, Beaver Dam, Castle Valley, Blue Springs, Rainbow Meadows, Mammoth Creek, Dry Lakes, Second Left Hand Canyon and Brian Head neighborhoods. Thirteen homes and eight outbuildings have been destroyed.

Contributing: Ladd Egan, Nicole Vowell

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