Canal Fire

The Canal Fire is a wildfire currently burning in Millard County, Utah in the United States. First reported on June 26, 2020, the fire has burned 78,065 acres (31,592 ha) on public land, including Fishlake National Forest and land owned by the Bureau of Land Management. Started by a lightning strike, the fire was contained on June 27, only to escape containment on June 28 due to strong winds. The fire is currently 98 percent contained. The fire led to the mandatory evacuation of Fool Creek Peak and Leamington, Utah.

Canal Fire
Canal Fire on July 1, 2020 from Leamington, Utah
LocationMillard County, Utah, United States
Coordinates39.425°N 112.347°W / 39.425; -112.347
Statistics[1]
Date(s)June 26, 2020 (2020-06-26)–
Burned area78,005 acres (31,568 ha)
CauseLightning strike
Map
Location in Utah

Events

June

The Canal Fire was reported burning five miles north of Oak City, Utah in Fishlake National Forest on June 26, 2020 around 4 PM.[1] Started by a lightning strike, the fire is fueled by dry conditions, high winds, pinyon-juniper, tall grass, and brush.[1][2] The fire threatened structures and power lines in the area.[3] The start of the Canal Fire made it the second fire to burn in Millard County, Utah, alongside the Antelope Fire.[2]

By the next day, June 27, the fire was 100 percent contained at 450 acres (182 ha).[3] However, the next day, June 28, the fire escaped containment lines. The area of Fool Creek Peak and the community of Leamington, Utah were evacuated. By June 29, the fire had exploded to 60,000 acres (24,281 ha) and was ten percent contained. An unknown number of structures and outbuildings were destroyed by the fire. Crews began creating fire lines around homes. Evacuation orders were lifted.[4]

July

As of the evening of July 1, the fire has burned 69,176 acres (27,995 ha). [1] Earlier that day, crews built containment lines on the southwest side (west of Highway 125 and east of Lynndyl), the northwest flank (north of Leamington and the Sevier River), and the east flank (along the Sevier River).[5] Crews continue to build containment lines on all sides, with crews finally moving into Fool Creek Canyon to begin containment in the rural, south part of the fire. The east flank remains the most active part of the fire. Oak Creek Canyon Road, the campground, Fool Creek Canyon Road and Leamington Pass were closed.[6]

By the evening of July 3, 2020, the fire had grown to 76,647 acres (31,018 ha) and was 45 percent contained.[6] That day, crews successfully contained the southwestern flank of the fire.[7]

As of July 6, the fire has burned 78,065 acres (31,592 ha) and is 98 percent contained.

Current closures

As of July 6, 2020, the following areas are closed in Fishlake National Forest:[8]

  • National Forest System lands south of Forest Road 086 Leamington Pass Road. From the westerly junction of the forest boundary, to the easterly junction of the forest boundary.
  • National Forest System lands west of the forest boundary from Forest Road 086 Leamington Pass South along the forest boundary to forest road 087 Wide Canyon. Then following the county line south to Forest Trail 003 Oak Creek Canyon.
  • National Forest System lands north of Forest Road 089 Oak Creek. From the westerly junction of the forest boundary to the easterly junction of Forest Trail 003. Then from Forest Trail 033 to the county line
  • National Forest System lands east of the forest boundary. From the northerly junction of Forest Road 086 Leamington Pass to the southerly junction of Forest Road 089 Oak Creek.

Impact

The fire threatened structures and power lines in Fishlake National Forest and on Bureau of Land Management and state land.[3] It also threatened homes and structures near Fool Creek Peak and Leamington. On June 28, both Fool Creek and Leamington were evacuated. Residents were allowed to return the following day. An unknown number of outbuildings and structures were destroyed.[4]

The Canal Fire led to the closure of a wide swath of land in the Fillmore National Forest Fillmore Ranger District, including Leamington Pass, Oak Creek Canyon, Fool Creek Canyon, and numerous trails, forest roads and Oak Creek Canyon campground.[9]

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See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Forest Service.

  1. "Canal Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System". InciWeb. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  2. Romney, Stephen (26 June 2020). "Two southern Utah wildfires burn over 9,000 acres". KSTU. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  3. Ellis, Josh (27 June 2020). "Crews Battling Three Wildfires In Central Utah". KSLTV.com. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  4. "Canal fire in Millard County escapes containment, structures damaged". ABC4 Utah. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  5. "Canal Fire Update 7-1-20 - InciWeb the Incident Information System". InciWeb. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  6. "Canal Fire Update 7-2-20 - InciWeb the Incident Information System". InciWeb. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  7. "Canal Fire Update 7-3-20 - InciWeb the Incident Information System". InciWeb. 3 July 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  8. "Canal Fire Closure 0408-20-05 - InciWeb the Incident Information System". InciWeb. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  9. "Canal Fire Area, Road and Trail Closure - InciWeb the Incident Information System". InciWeb. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
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