Pack Creek Fire Daily Update June 16
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Contact Fire Information: (435) 287-4126
Visit www.utahfireinfo.gov or our storymap at https://arcg.is/SH4Hm0
Start Date: June 9, 2021
Cause: Abandoned campfire
Size in Acres: 8,453
Percent Contained: 26%
Est. Cost to Date: $3.5 mil.
Helicopters:11
Engines: 34
Crews: 13
Total Personnel: 535
Summary:
Increased relative humidity over the fire area overnight, which is predicted to continue over the next several days, assisted crews in making progress on containment lines on the western side of the fire near Brumley Creek and the La Sal Mountain Loop Road, increasing containment to 26%. Hot and dry daytime temperatures will persist with a slight potential for high elevation thunderstorms this coming weekend. An excessive heat warning remains in effect through Friday, which when combined with the historic drought, makes for challenging firefighting conditions.
Smoke will continue to impact the surrounding communities of Moab and Spanish Valley over the next few days. While a portion of the smoke in the valley during the morning hours is from the Pack Creek Fire, the majority of the high level smoke bringing hazy skies to the area is coming from fires across Arizona, New Mexico, and Northern Mexico. As containment increases over the next week, smoke from the Pack Creek Fire will be reduced, however residents and visitors should anticipate smoke impacts in the area for the foreseeable future.
A priority remains the Oowah Lake area, including the campground and infrastructure. The fire has not reached the shores of Oowah Lake and remains south of the dam. In conjunction with helicopter water drops, crews are working direct around Oowah Lake to prevent the fire from impacting the popular recreation area. Crews continue securing and mopping up the containment lines in the Pack Creek drainage and expect additional containment in the Pack Creek area in the coming days.
Priorities for today’s operational shift are to continue to protect private property, infrastructure, and recreation areas within the Manti-La Sal National Forest. Crews will continue to utilize appropriate suppression actions to minimize fire growth and scout for opportunities to establish effective control lines along the east side of the fire. Crews will work to connect indirect fire line to natural barriers in Burro Pass to slow fire spread to the northeast.
Investigators are still seeking leads that may help identify those responsible for the fire’s start. Anyone who may have information about the start of the Pack Creek Fire can call the tip line at 775-355-5337.
