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Brian Head Fire swells to 2,700 acres; threatens Boy Scout camp

Posted at 9:53 PM, Jun 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-21 10:41:08-04

BRIAN HEAD, Utah — A large wildfire that started Saturday near Brian Head has grown to more than 2,700 acres.

Brian Head fire

Fire crews said winds from the southwest allowed the fire to make a three-mile run northeast, tripling in size Wednesday.

The fire reached Hendrickson Lake and is moving down into Second Left Hand Canyon.

It burned around the Thunder Ridge Boy Scout Camp, but minimal damage occurred thanks to the hard work of firefighters throughout the night.

Crews contained a 20-acre spot fire on the west side of Highway 143 late Wednesday.

Airtankers dropped fire retardant and multiple helicopters dropped water on the edges of the fire throughout the day Tuesday.

The  fire, which Gov. Herbert said was sparked by a weed torch, is 15-percent contained and is expected to be fully contained by July 8.

The Brian Head Fire has forced officials to evacuate the town of Brian Head, and the town will remain closed until fire managers determine it is safe for residents and visitors to return.

Other closures:

  • Highway 143 remains closed from Parowan to the junction of Highway 148 near Cedar Breaks National Monument.
  • The Dixie National Forest has issued a road and trail closure as well to prevent the public from entering the fire area. The closure includes: Marathon Trail #3224 from Forest Road 048 (Sidney Valley), Sidney Peaks Trail #3210, Mace’s Run Trail #3219, Dark Hollow Trail #3232, Hendricks Lake Trail #3249, and Forest Road 047 (Brian Head Peak Road).

Click here to see maps of the fire.