Largest Fire In The United States

The Brian Head Fire has become the largest fire in the country just one week after it started. It has destroyed over 40,000 acres and continues to grow. Since Thursday it has grown by over 12,000 acres.

Official Evacuations and Closures as of this morning for the Brian Head Fire:

CURRENT EVACUATIONS – Upper Bear Valley is under evacuation as of this morning due to the forecasted winds. The following communities remain evacuated per local law enforcement: Panguitch Lake, Horse Valley, Beaver Dam, Castle Valley, Blue Springs, Rainbow Meadows, Mammoth Creek, Dry Lakes, Second Left Hand Canyon, and the town of Brian Head. Evacuees can contact the Red Cross for shelter information. If you live in an area affected by wildland fires, officials recommend familiarizing yourself with the Ready, Set, Go Program (http://wildlandfirersg.org/).

CLOSURES – Highway 143 is closed from the cemetery in Parowan to milepost 50 outside of Panguitch. Mammoth Creek Road is closed at the junction with Highway 143. The north side gate of 143/148 is closed. The Dixie National Forest has expanded its area closure to include Forest lands north of Highway 14. Please check your route before planning recreational activities. Maps of the closure area are posted at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5253/.

The Brian Head fire spreads across both Iron and Garfield counties in Utah. Currently there are at least 1,000 personnel battling the blaze.

The Brian Head fire is 1 of only 18 large fires racing through the southwest. Here in Arizona we have 6 active fires, the largest of which is the Frye Fire, which currently is only 28% contained and has burned over 30,000 acres.