June 11 PM Pack Creek Fire PM Fact Sheet
For Immediate Release
Contact: Sandy Nelson and Rachel Wootton (435) 287-4126
June 11, 2021 at 9 p.m.
Summary: A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Great Basin Team 4) arrived in Moab on Friday, June 11, and will assume management of fire operations at 6 a.m. Saturday, June 12. A closure order for the west face of the La Sal Mountains is in development to prevent hikers, campers and other outdoor recreationists from endangering their safety and that of firefighters working to contain the spread of the Pack Creek Fire. The fire is located on Bureau of Land Management, National Forest, State, and private lands.
Start Date: Wednesday, June 9
Location: Pack Creek, 10 miles southeast of Moab
Cause: Unattended campfire
Fire Size and Containment: The fire had grown to nearly 5,000 acres by Friday morning, with 0% containment.
Complexity: The fire forced the evacuation of Pack Creek residents and the closure of the La Sal Loop Road from Pack Creek to Geyser Pass.
Jurisdiction: U.S. Forest Service, Manti-La Sal National Forest
Fire Behavior: Light winds Friday allowed local firefighters to continue structure protection work in Pack Creek and to strengthen fire lines.
Structures Lost and Threatened: Four primary structures, six outbuildings were lost in the Pack Creek community, and five primary structures were damaged by fire.
Evacuations: All homes in the Pack Creek Community and residences south of Geyser Pass Road on the La Sal Loop Road were evacuated Wednesday. Rocky Mountain Power is working to restore electricity to Pack Creek homeowners.
Closures: La Sal Loop Road is closed from Pack Creek to Geyser Pass, and more closures are expected in the interest of public and firefighter safety.
Fuels and Terrain: The fire is burning in grass, brush and timber and had reached an elevation of 11,000 feet by Friday morning. The terrain is rugged, with steep canyons and basins.
Resources: The number of firefighters and support personnel is expected to quickly expand from the current cadre of 125 as the Type 2 team takes command of the fire.
For more information on fires in Utah, visit www.UtahFireInfo.gov
For more information on fires across the country, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov
