The Chalk Creek Hieroglyphs are safe, thanks to the efforts of Utah firefighters and archaeologists.
The hieroglyphs, near Fillmore in Millard County — about 145 miles south of Salt Lake City — were threatened when the Halfway Hill Fire in the Fishlake National Forest jumped a containment line on Tuesday, pushed by winds of more than 30 mph, then crossed Chalk Creek Road and burned within a mile of the site, according to the U.S. Fire Service.
The site is one of the most visited areas of the forest, officials said.
(Utah Fire Info) FIrefighters removed trees and brush adjacent to the Chalk Creek Hieroglyphs as the Halfway Hill Fire approached.
Bureau of Land Management archaeologist Hannah Robinson and a fire engine crew quickly went to the site and removed trees and brush that were growing right next to the hieroglyphs. The crews wrapped both the hieroglyphs and explanatory signs with fire protection fabric, then dug a fire line around a wooden barricade in the site’s parking lot.
“Within 30 minutes, the site was in a much better position to survive the fire if winds and erratic fire behavior continued,” according to the U.S. Fire Service.
The origin of the hieroglyphs is unknown. According to signs at the site, theories include Aztecs, Mayans, Spanish explorers or early Americans. Some believe they were carved by Nephites — a group of Jews who, according to the Book of Mormon, sailed to the Americas in about 600 BC.
(Utah Fire Info) Crews removed trees and brush and covered both the Chalk Creek Hieroglyphs and explanatory signs in fire protection fabric.
The hieroglyphs were discovered in 1939 when a pair of prospectors looking for iron ore came upon them. They consist of four lines of 24 symbols etched into a stone face above a small cave opening. The symbols include a cupped hand, a skull, heads, a cross, parallel lines and circles.
The blaze did not burn over the Chalk Creek Hieroglyphs, but the protection measures remain in place as the Halfway Hill Fire continues to burn. According to officials, it has torched almost 12,000 acres and was 39% contained as of Monday afternoon.
Last week, four people were arrested on suspicion of starting the fire. According to police, they started a campfire and “left abruptly” before it was out. They did not contact authorities when they saw the fire reignite and spread, police said.
