Deer Springs Fire Update: GSENM announces reopening of road, area closures
KANAB, Utah — Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is pleased to announce that the Deer Springs Fire has reached 100% containment. As a result, critical areas affected by closures for fire operations are now officially open, allowing visitors to resume normal travel activities.
Reopened roads/areas include Skutumpah Road, between Johnson Canyon and Lick Wash, Timber Mountain Road, Nephi Pasture Road, and Nephi Pasture and Crocodile parking lots.
Initially reported on July 7, 2024, the wildfire caused much concern among residents as it burned nearly 9,000 acres of pinyon-juniper woodland within 24 hours. A local Color Country Interagency Incident Management Type-3 Team responded and took command of the incident on July 8, 2024.
Thanks to the team's quick action and the tireless efforts of more than 200 firefighters, first responders, aviators, and overhead personnel across multiple cooperating agencies, the team gained control of the incident and reached 70% containment within seven days. On July 16, 2024, incident command was handed to a local type-4 crew. Since then, that crew has continued working toward full containment, officially designating it as such late yesterday.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to stay informed about upcoming fire recovery activities by visiting https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/utah/grand-staircase-escalante-national-monument or following us on social media.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.