A massive forest fire roaring through southern Utah has swept over the hillsides, taking out homes and cars while volunteers try to rescue horses and pets from the flames.
Lisa Langere, a local homeowner had no idea about the fire until she saw a plume of smoke while she was driving home.
“I have horses, and goats and dogs and cats and everything,” she said.
Firefighting is focusing on protecting structures and homes, an effort that has paid off according to state officials.
“What stood out was really the miracle and the hard, hard work that occurred to not have more cabins lost. The fire is all around cabins, all throughout,” said Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox.
At least 600 cabins have been evacuated, said another official.
The fire is being fed by hot, dry weather, the same conditions that have led to an outbreak of fires in California.
Locals have watched the fire wreak havoc on their communities, with multiple fires burning at once.
“I got down here the fire was actually over there, their car had caught on fire, and was burning on that bank, it had nothing to do with this one up here, so we had two of them going at the same time,” said Gary Curry, a local property owner.
While Utah is facing several fires, the Brian Head fire in the south of the state is by far the largest, devouring some 22 square miles or 19,000 hectares.
State officials say the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
“The northern edge of the fire had extreme fire behavior, active crown fire, and long range spotting,” said InciWeb, the state’s website for up-to-date information on incidents like forest fires.
Firefighters will focus on protecting residences and structures, but with winding conditions coming, their job doesn’t look to be getting easier.
InciWeb said fire officials are predicting large fire growth to the north.
Matthew Little for NTD
