William Fire Update Sept. 18, 2020

September 18, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

Location: 2 miles south of Santaquin, UT                                              

Email: [email protected]

Start Date: September 6, 2020                                                             

Phone: 1-435-414-9418

Cause: Human caused, target shooting                                                  

Acres: 5,450

Containment: 43%                                                                              

Personnel Assigned: 195

Current Status: Crews safely completed the intended firing operations along the control line on the western flank of the fire. The intent was to secure this previously uncontained and inaccessible area of the fire. Firefighters can now obtain containment between the active parts of the fire and important power transmission lines and the I-15 corridor.

There was one slopover on the southwest end of the burnout which was lined and secured last night before the firing operations continued. The burnout was successful in terrain where firefighters could safely build containment lines to meet the 100% Suppression Strategy. This portion of line can now be mopped up, patrolled and secured – contributing to the overall containment of the fire. Smoke and flames may be visible as fuels continue to consume interior from the fire perimeter throughout the day.

Firefighters on the northeast side of the fire are improving lines and putting in a hoselay to protect values at risk.

There are closures on Pole Canyon Road and the Mona Pole Road (Forest Service road #600/#160) and details can be found on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest website https://www.fs.usda.gov/uwcnf. We ask that the public stay away from the area for the safety of the firefighters and the public.

Hunters with limited entry Bull Elk tags, please check your unit, be sure to stay out of the closure area. We aim to keep the public and firefighters safe, your aim will help.

Weather: Today temperatures are predicted to be in the upper 80s. Humidity will be in the low teens. Southwest winds are expected ahead of a dry cold front, gusting 15 to 22 mph. There is a red flag warning in effect for today.

Moderate fire behavior in the form of smoldering and surface creep and isolated torching in heavy mountain brush/grass, mixed conifer and riparian stringers. There is a fuel and fire behavior advisory in effect for critically dry fuels through September 25, 2020.

A TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) has been implemented over the fire area – which means recreational drones and private aircraft cannot fly over the fire. Details can be found here: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_0_1623.html. Remember, “IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T.”

Fire information can be found on Utah Wildfire Information at https://utahfireinfo.gov/. Check out News & Events and ‘Like Us’ on facebook.com/UtahWildfire , and ‘Follow Us’ on twitter.com/UtahWildfire for further information.