By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News | USDA Forest Service Photos by JD Pell
Update: Aug. 4, 2026, 4:35 p.m.
In an afternoon update posted by the U.S. Forest Service regarding the Black Canyon fire, the organization reported that the blaze has not left Black Canyon area and entered the Reeder Subdivision. The USDA also clarified that work by firefighting crews today was ‘preventative’ and focused on protecting homes if fire patterns should change.
“Eight local structural fire engines are actively reducing vegetation and other fuels around cabins to improve defensible space,” reads a social media post from the organization. “At the same time, Forest Service firefighters are scouting the North and Northeast sides of the subdivision to identify locations where protective fireline can be constructed if needed.”
The Reeder Subdivision remains under a “Level 3 – Go” evacuation status.
Original story
The Black Canyon Wildfire – which first started on Thursday, July 30, due to a lightning strike – continues to burn in Black Canyon, which sits on the Ferron Ranger District of the Manti-La Sal National Forest. Currently, the fire sits at 800 acres in size, and up to 60 structures are threatened by the blaze, prompting a “Level 3 – Go” evacuation status for the Reeder subdivision area.
“The fire is moving very intensely. It’s making quick runs through the tops of trees, burning uphill fast, and spreading out to the sides,” reads an update from the U.S. Forest Service. A red flag weather warning, with low relative humidity and high winds in the area, aids the intense movement. Winds are expected to blow from 10-20 mph, with gusts of up to 30 mph expected.
Fire conditions have also prompted the USDA to update a temporary closure order to include all Forest Service lands in the Ferron District, located northeast of Reeder Canyon Trail, east of Skyline Drive, south of Potters Canyon Road, and west of Millers Flat Road. This includes:
- Spring City Canyon Road (FS Road 0036)
- Skyline Drive, from the intersection with Potters Pond Road south to the intersection with Reeder Ridge Road (FS Road 0054)
- Reeder Ridge Road (entire length)
- FS Trail 091 (Reeder Canyon)
- FS Road 0014 (Millers Flat), south of the access route to Potters Pond
- FS Road 0038 (Lowry Water)
- FS Road 0271 (Potters Canyon)
- Potters Pond Campground spur roads: FS Roads 2206, 2207, 2209, 2213, 2228, 2232
- Additional roads: FS Roads 2205, 0273, 2467, 2203, 2211, 2212, 2340
The closure order will remain in place until Aug. 31 unless it is rescinded sooner.
To view updates on fire activity, click here.
