At nearly 15,000 acres, the Silver King Fire ripping through Fishlake National Forest is one of the biggest actively burning wildfires in the nation.
At least two active wildfires in the West are bigger: The Lake Fire (2024) northeast of Los Olivos, California, was burning about 34,015 acres as of Thursday, and the Wilder Fire in Humboldt County, Nevada, had grown to 16,830 acres.
Both started within days of the Silver King Fire, but they are at least partially contained — the Lake Fire is 16% contained, and the Wilder Fire is 40% contained. Another wildfire near Ruidoso, New Mexico, has burned more than 17,500 acres since June 17 but is nearly completely contained.
Around two dozen other wildfires in the West are smaller. Many are less than 5,000 acres, and several are burning less than 1,000 acres. Four are nearly as big as the Silver King Fire, but one is completely contained and two are more than 90% contained.
Read more: How high is wildfire risk in Utah this summer?
Silver King Fire started by lightning
The Silver King Fire sparked from lightning just west of Marysvale, Utah, on July 5. Almost a week later, it is still 0% contained, burning hot despite efforts to control the flames.
Wildfire crews are operating containment efforts both on land and in the sky. The fire is not close to or affecting Pando, the aspen stand near the forest’s namesake lake that is also the world’s largest living organism, a spokesperson with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands said.
To prevent northern and eastern fire progression, crews are establishing “dozer lines,” which remove flammable plants to stifle the fire’s spread. They are also performing protection tactics including thinning and limbing vegetation and setting up water systems near Elk Ranch, according to an update from Utah Fire Info.
From above, aircrafts are dropping loads of retardant over the heavy timber south of Edna Peak to prevent a southern spread.
The weather is not completely cooperating with containment efforts. Although winds have subsided, temperatures are still expected to climb through the weekend.
For public safety, some nearby homeowners were evacuated over the weekend and Fishlake National Forest issued a closure notice for surrounding areas. The Castle Rock Campground remains open.
Over the next few days, the Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response program forecasted unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups near the forest.
Deer Springs Fire now 20% contained
(Kade Shakespear via Utah Fire Info) The Deer Springs Fire, as seen on Sunday, July 7, 2024, off Skutumpah Road in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
The human-caused fire that began July 7 in southern Utah’s pinyon-juniper woodlands has seen some containment success.
The Deer Springs Fire, threatening Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, was larger than the Silver King flames Wednesday. But as of Thursday morning, it was more controlled thanks to fire-line constructions to the south and west, according to an update from Utah Fire Info.
Crews continue to fight smaller burns that migrated from the main fire to eliminate further spread.
Recreational activities in the Nephi Pasture Region and along Skutumpah Road are still discouraged. As of Thursday, no evacuation orders had been considered necessary.
Central Utah fire restrictions implemented
On Thursday, officials implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions for much of central Utah, citing increasing fire danger and ongoing wildfire activity. The restrictions apply to all federal, state and unincorporated private lands.
The restrictions include:
• No campfires or open fires outside of maintained campgrounds and homesites with running water. Devices fueled by liquid petroleum are OK.
• No discharging of fireworks outside of incorporated city limits, if allowed under local ordinances, or on public lands. Fireworks are always prohibited on all federal lands.
• No shooting of exploding targets or tracer ammunition.
• No cutting, grinding, or welding of metal in areas of dry vegetation.
• No use of equipment without a working and properly maintained spark arrestor, if required.