Pack Creek Fire Update
Sunday, June 20, 2021
Contact Fire Information: (435) 287-4126

Or [email protected] 

Visit www.utahfireinfo.gov or our storymap at https://arcg.is/SH4Hm0

Start Date: June 9, 2021
Cause: Abandoned campfire
Size in Acres: 8,938
Percent Contained: 44%
Est. Cost to Date: $6.6 mil.
Helicopters: 10
Engines: 26
Crews: 15
Total Personnel: 557

Summary:

The Pack Creek Fire did not see any new growth yesterday and containment increased to 44 percent. Containment lines were tested with yesterday’s gusty winds but containment lines held strong through the weather event. Today, increased winds are forecasted with gusts up to 30 miles per hour. Starting Tuesday, dry air is expected to combine with increasing winds to again form potentially critical weather conditions. Moderate fire behavior will continue today in the areas of Oowah Lake, Haystack Mountain, east of Squaw Spring, and Geyser Pass.

There are two crews on the Pack Creek Fire that have specialized training with Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to conduct reconnaissance flights over the fire to check for hotspots with infrared technology. The utilization of new technology to gather information from the UAS flights provides fire managers with detailed information to direct the suppression efforts on the Pack Creek Fire. All UAS actions on the fire are implemented under strict coordination with all other fire operations.

Over the coming days, crews will use a wood chipper in the Buried Hatchet and Whispering Oaks area to clean up debris and vegetation that was removed during suppression efforts. Crews will continue extinguishing hot spots while strengthening containment lines in areas where there is minimal fire activity with expected critical weather.

The Manti-La Sal National Forest Closure remains in place and the entire area remains closed for any type of access or recreation. The forest closure can be found at:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mantilasal/alerts-notices. Residents of lower and upper Pack Creek, Buried Hatchet and Whispering Oaks may access their property via the southside of the La Sal Loop Road with proof of residency. The La Sal Loop Road remains closed to the general public. Evacuations remain in place in and around the area east of Geyser Pass, from Blue Lake to the east towards the Dark Canyon area.

Investigators are still seeking leads to help identify those responsible for the fire’s ignition. Anyone who has information related to the identification of the responsible party of the Pack Creek Fire can call the tip line at 775-355-5337.