June 7, 2021, 4:00 PM
The Bennion Fire is continuing to burn in the vicinity of Skyline and Starvation roads on the Manti-La Sal National Forest. Handcrews and engines have made progress today with the assistance of aircraft leading to 10% containment. Warm, dry, and windy weather led to moderate fire growth, bringing the total acreage to 1200 acres. A Type-3 Incident Management Team (IMT) is running the fire. Smoke is visible in the surrounding communities and from Highway 6. Starvation road and Bennion Ridge road are closed for public & firefighter safety. Please remain clear of the fire area.
Current Resources:
Handcrews: 5
Engines: 6
Helicopters: 5
Dozer: 1
Closures : Bennion Ridge Road and Starvation Road.
Evacuations: None
Over the past few days firefighters from multiple agencies and states have gathered to combat the Bennion Creek Fire which is located near Skyline and Starvation roads. As of Monday morning the fire has consumed 1200 acres and is 10% contained.
The fire is in steep and rugged terrain which has made it difficult for firefighters to be able to fight it on the ground. At this time there are five helicopters that are being used to drop retardant material on the fire.
Samantha Stoffregen, Public Affairs Officer for the Manti Lasal National Forrest, joined us in studio to talk about the fire, what types of crews are on sight and what is needed from the public at this time.
“We are at about 150 total personnel, and that’s a combination of folks from the state, from BLM, from the Forrest Service, from Idaho helping us on this fire. We’ve got five handcrews, six engines and five helicopters”, Stoffregen stated.
Even though it is in a fairly remote area, there were still some road closures that were necessary to keep the public from wandering into areas that need to be clear for fire crews.
“Bennion Ridge road is closed, that is the primary road that leads into the fire. Starvation road is closed for a few days, we have “spike” camps there and our firefighters are recovering so please avoid this area so they can get the rest they need to get back on the ground and fight this fire” said Stoffregen.
While it is still a fire, if a positive can be taken from this it is that it was not human caused. As of right now it is listed as a naturally caused fire with lightning being the most likely culprit. Even with that being said it is a great reminder about how dry things are this year and how we need to be extra vigilant when we venture out this summer.
You can check back with Castle Country Radio for the latest updates on the Bennion Creek Fire as they become available to us.