Pack Creek Fire June 26 Update

Fire Information: (435) 287-4126 or [email protected]  

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

Summary: 

The fire behavior and growth were minimal yesterday. Firefighting efforts continued to focus on the areas by Geyser Pass, Gold Basin, and Mount Mellenthin. Crews are taking advantage of the conditions and decreased fire behavior to secure the fire edges. 

The Manti-La Sal National Forest established a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team that has initiated an assessment of the Pack Creek Fire burn scar. BAER teams identify post wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural and cultural resources to National Forest System lands.The Pack Creek Fire BAER team anticipates that the final burn severity map and an emergency assessment of post-fire debris flow hazards will be available to the public during the week of June 28, 2021.

BAER teams include hydrologists, geologists, soil scientists, road engineers, botanists, biologists, and archeologists from federal and state agencies. The Pack Creek Fire BAER team will work together to complete burned area surveys, modeling, threat identification, and risk assessments. They will produce a burned area report summarizing assessment findings and identify any recommended treatments necessary to reduce risk to critical values on forest lands. BAER reports are also shared with the interagency Utah Post-Wildfire Team, which consists of state and federal agency representatives who can provide additional support to communities that have been impacted by wildfire.

The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is still in place for the area from Spanish Valley Drive into the La Sal Mountains. Unauthorized use of aircraft (including drones) in a TFR is illegal and is a safety risk for firefighters and pilots. 

The La Sal Loop Road is now open; and the Manti La Sal National Forest has updated the closure order for the La Sal Mountains (attached) on June 24. Key information and updates include:

• Dispersed camping is allowed west of the La Sal Loop Road. 
• The La Sal Pass is open to La Sal Pass from the east side and camping is allowed along the La Sal Pass road, including the Medicine Lake area. Hikers can now use the Mount Tuk Trail to climb up to Mount Peale, but should know that the area north of the peak remains closed.
• Road closures for La Sal Pass Road and Dark Canyon Lake Road remain due to activity on the northeast side of the fire. 
• Evacuations remain in place for the Geyser Pass area, and from Blue Lake to the east towards the Dark Canyon area. Warner Lake, Oowah Lake, and Geyser Pass Roads and campground remain closed. Reservations for Warner and Oowah lake campgrounds through at least the end of July are not available.

Popular hiking and biking trails including the Whole Enchilada inside the closure area, Moonlight Meadows, Gold Basin Trail and Clark Lake trails remain closed. The Forest Service continues to ask recreationists to stay out of Gold Basin for their safety and the safety of firefighting personnel.

As of 12:01 a.m. on June 25, public and state lands entered stage 2 fire restrictions in Carbon, Emery, Grand and San Juan counties. Learn more on the Utah Fire Information website: https://utahfireinfo.gov/active-fire-restriction-documents/. 

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.