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BRIAN HEAD, Iron County — People were allowed to drive on a canyon road and camp, fish and swim at Panguitch Lake for the first time in more than a week on Sunday as crews contained 65 percent of a wildfire nearby.
The Brian Head Fire has torched more than 60,300 acres — or about 94 square miles — since it was sparked by a torch used to kill weeds two weeks ago.
Authorities reopened a stretch of state Route 143 from Parowan to Brian Head; on Sunday afternoon, a second piece of the road was set to open from Parowan to Panguitch.
Panguitch Lake also opened Sunday for all recreational activities, incident managers reported.
And for some homeowners, evacuations were lifted.
Residents of Second Left Hand Canyon had approval to return home Sunday, though other traffic was not allowed in. Brian Head and Dry Lakes remained open for visitors and homeowners.
Fire managers cautioned travelers to the area to stay on the highway, drive slowly and stay alert for falling rocks and debris as crews work near the road.
Firefighers were hoping to fully contain the western flank of the blaze by late Sunday, and were using dozers along the northern side, where the fire was strongest.
Sunday was the last day for the Type 2 incident management team crews called in across from Nevada, Idaho and Utah. More than 1,800 firefighters continue to battle the blaze heading northeast.
Several areas remained under evacuation orders: Upper Bear Valley, Horse Valley, Beaver Dam, Clear Creek, Castle Valley, Blue Springs and Rainbow Meadows.
