Update on Riggs Fire, Lonely Fire: Over one thousand acres burning
Bryce Canyon NP remains open, structural protection installed at Rainbow Point
By Mike Johnson
Two fires in Dixie National Forest and Bryce Canyon National Park and on Kanab BLM land have increased in size to over a thousand acres. The Riggs Fire grew to 587 acres Sept. 13 while the Lonely Fire had moderate fire activity and grew to 554 acres.
There are three trail closures currently in place. Within the Dixie National Forest the Grandview Trail (066) from the Willis Creek junction to Lower Podunk. In Bryce Canyon National Park the Riggs Spring Loop Trail is closed, including the connector trail from Riggs Springs to the Grandview Trail. The Under-the-Rim Trail is also closed from Agua Canyon to Rainbow Point. These trails are temporarily closed for safety and welfare of the public. All visitor facilities, services, and businesses in surrounding communities are not impacted by the fire and remain open..
Due to increased fire activity and firefighting operations in the Rainbow Point area, the main park road in Bryce Canyon National Park is now closed at Farview Point overlook. This location was chosen as it allows for larger vehicles and buses to safely turnaround. The remainder of Bryce Canyon National Park remains open to visitors.
Firefighters spent Sept. 13 working to install structure protection to infrastructure in the Rainbow Point area. Sprinklers were set up and tested in the event that the Riggs Fire moves uphill and west to the Rainbow Point parking area. Several structures including restrooms, a gazebo, and communications sites are in the area. Firefighters are utilizing portable water tanks that hold several thousand gallons of water that they can use to run the sprinkler systems. They also installed a hose lay that they used for a burnout operation.
Hotshot crews conducted a burnout operation utilizing the Bristlecone Pine Trail and a fuel break that had been created in the past three years. The fuel break and hose lay allowed them to conduct the operation and help secure the western flank of the fire.
Crews also conducted structure protection assessments and improving a fuel break in the Willis Creek area.
Currently, there are 75 personnel assigned to the Riggs and Lonely fires. Resources include two 20-person handcrews, three engines, one water tender, one Type 3 helicopter, and one Type 1 helicopter.
For more information on fires in Utah, visit utahfireinfo.gov.
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