USDA Press Release
Price, UT, October 18, 2024 — Manti-La Sal National Forest fire officials fully suppress the Verdure Creek Wildfire, with final mapped fire area of approximately 157 acres.
During the last 24 hours, fire officials were able to successfully hold the established fire lines and encompass the Verdure Creek Wildfire. Suppression efforts have been aided by precipitation, cloud cover, high humidity, and cool weather patterns that have moderated fire activity. This combination is enabling crews to mop up and extinguish hot spots as the fire area cools. Due to these favorable conditions, incident command has begun to release resources from the incident, however, approximately 35 personnel will remain on site to monitor and hold the fire within its current perimeter. This release will be considered the final update on the Verdure Creek Wildfire.
Looking back, the Verdure Creek Wildfire was reported on Sunday, October 13, 2024, approximately six miles Southwest of the City of Monticello and a half mile north of the Blue Mountain Ranch Homes along the North Fork of Verdure Creek in San Juan County, UT. The southern heel of the fire, closest to The Blue Mountain Ranch Homes saw minimal activity due to favorable conditions and previous thinning efforts completed by Manti-La Sal National Forest crews. With that, fire personnel focused on flanking the East and West sides of the fire as it traveled North, and once again, due to previous prescribed burning and mastication efforts within the nearby Shingle Mill Fuels Reduction Project Area, fire crews were able to hold and construct fire line for effective fire suppression.
The Manti-La Sal National Forest fire officials were bolstered by cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies to suppress the fire, as well as support from local community members and residents of the Blue Mountain Ranch homes. Residents of the area supported the suppression of this fire through their present-day openness, and through their past patience during prescribed fuels reduction efforts within the area which proved to be a key performance indicator of successful suppression on this wildfire.
It’s likely that smoke will still be visible within the communities across San Juan County. For public and firefighter safety, the public is asked to avoid the impacted areas. There are currently no fire restrictions on the Manti-La Sal National Forest. As a reminder, the public is encouraged to practice appropriate fire safety measures while traveling and recreating outdoors, even as the weather cools down.