Fire in Dixie National Forest burns 4,500 plus acres, closes parts of Kane County in preparation

Over the weekend of June 13, the France Canyon por­tion of the Dixie National Forest began to burn, with fire spreading south and west through Garfield County and approaching Kane County’s borders. The fire threatened the edges of Bryce Canyon, including Bryce Canyon City, the Ruby’s Inn Area and parts of Bryce Canyon National Park.

Photos via Utah Forest Service.

On Sunday June 15, parts of Kane County were closed off to the public to set up spike camps for fire fighters and to establish protective lines in the area. Kane County’s emergency response contributed man­power and resources to the effort, stating their goals to keep the fire far from inhabited subdivisions or emergency service re­sources like nearby radio repeating stations.

On June 17, the Forest Service released an update on the fire, stating, “The current acreage is 4,704 with zero percent contain­ment. The fire continues to burn in very dry and recep­tive fuels along with some areas of difficult terrain. Although access is limited in some areas, firefighters have had success in access­ing large portions of the fire. Firefighters continue to enforce the southwest heel to stop spreading towards the Bryce Woodlands area. There is new emphasis to hold fire on the west side of the East Fork Road to avoid impacts to Bryce Canyon City and the National Park.

“Fire behavior is expected to increase on the southern and eastern flanks of the fire with winds shifting out of the northwest today. However, this event is of short term as it will again shift to a more predominant southwest flow tomorrow. Resources are focusing on securing the southern edge to protect nearby com­munities. Expected smoke impacts to Bryce Canyon National Park and Ruby’s Inn. There is potential for increased fire behavior in France Canyon that could result in southern progression towards Bryce Woodlands. Continued ac­tive fire on the Paunsau­gunt Plateau in setting up expected smoke impacts to Bryce Canyon NP and Ruby’s Inn area.

“Bryce Woodlands com­munity is on alert in the event of fire growth to the south. No other com­munities or structures are threatened. Additional resources are expected to arrive on the incident throughout the day. The helicopter base at Bryce Canyon Airport continues to support the incident with five assigned helicopters for logistical and operational needs. Hand and mechani­cal line will continue con­struction where accessible.”

Fire protection officials cite hot and dry weather combined with high winds as contributing factors to the fire’s spread.

Further updates are available on the Forest Service and pertinent coun­ties’ social media sources.