Wildfire in Utah Forcing Hundreds of Evacuations

The Saddle Fire in Pine Valley, Utah intensifies

LATEST: The Saddle Fire is now forcing hundreds of evacuations in the Pine Valley recreation area north of St. George, Utah. Several trail and road closures are now in place, US Forest Service-Dixie reported.

The lightning-sparked Saddle Fire, which started on  June 13, has now grown to more than 650 acres, threatening at least 185 structures.

Meanwhile, NWS reported RECORD HEAT across Utah.

[Official] U.S.  Wildfire Stats

Some 132 new fires, including 21 large fires (7 new) burning 135,372 acres.

States currently reporting large fires:

Alaska (2), Arizona (3), California (5), Colorado (4), Montana (1), New Mexico (1), Utah (2)
Washington (1), Wyoming (2)

Year-to-date statistics
2016 (1/1/16 – 6/22/16) Fires: 23,453; Acres: 1,959,315
2015 (1/1/15 – 6/22/15) Fires: 25,633; Acres: 623,886

Annual average prior 10 years
2006-2015 Fires: 33,361; Acres: 1,768,405

Largest Fires (≥ 2,400 acres)

Arizona

• Cedar: acres= 40,340; personnel= 967; cost-to-date= $6.7million
• Wildcat: acres= 1,502; personnel= 238; cost-to-date= $2.3million
• Brown: acres= 15,282; personnel= 230; cost-to-date= $1.2million

California

• San Gabriel Complex: acres= 4,900; personnel= 1,041; cost-to-date= $2.4million
• Border 3: acres= 6,020; personnel= 1,550; cost-to-date= $2.7million
• Sherpa: acres= 7,969;  personnel= 1,678 ; cost-to-date= $15.4million
• Pony: acres= 2,858; personnel= 343;  cost-to-date= $14.9million

New Mexico

• Dog Head: acres= 17,912; personnel= 938; cost-to-date= $7million

Wyoming

• Short: acres= 2,300; personnel= 277; cost-to-date= $710k

Federal Fire Disaster Declarations [Fire Management Assistance Declarations]

• Utah Saddle Fire (FM-5130)
• California Fish Fire (FM-5129)
• California Border 3 Fire (FM-5128)
• New Mexico Dog Head Fire (FM-5127)
• Oregon Akawana Fire (FM-5126)
• Arizona Tenderfoot Fire (FM-5125)
• California Old Fire (FM-5124)
• New Hampshire Stoddard Fire (FM-5123)
• Oklahoma 350 Fire Complex (FM-5122)
• Kansas Burr Oak Fire (FM-5121)
• Kansas Anderson Creek Fire (FM-5120)

Canada Totals:
Year-to-Date: 2,342 fires
Total Burned: 890,619 hectares [1 Hectare = 2.47 Acres]