Mile Marker 25, Interstate 15 Fire Evening Update, June 25, 2021

Organization:

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

Arizona Strip District Office

Media Contact:

Rachel Carnahan, Public Affairs Specialist

Summary: At 5:30pm June 24, 2021, the Color Country Interagency Communication Center received a report of a wildland fire start. Local resources are on scene and aerial resources are currently being used. Smoke can be seen from St. George, Utah. 

Start Date: June 24, 2021 

Location: Mile marker 25, Virgin River Gorge 

Jurisdiction: Arizona Strip District, Bureau of Land Management 

Fire Size: Estimated at 948 acres. (Note: one acre is equivalent to one football field).  

Cause: Human Caused  

Closures:  Arizona Department of Transportation is conducting a lane closure from 7am to 6pm on the right lane for north bound traffic to assist with firefighter safety and allow resources access to better manage the fire. Signs are in place to help direct traffic. We appreciate the public’s assistance and patience in maintaining firefighter safety through this incident. 

Fuels: Grass, brush 

Structures: None 

Containment: 40% 

Fire Crews/Resources:  Local resources on scene include 10 engines from federal agencies including BLM Arizona and BLM Utah, BIA, USFS, NPS and 2 cooperator engines from Beaver Dam, Arizona, and Lincoln County, Nevada, 1 Hot Shot Crew, 2 Type II Initial Attack Crews, 3 Water Tenders, 1 Type 3 Helicopter, 1 Type 1 Helicopter, 1 Heavy Air Tanker and 4 Single Engine Air Tankers or SEATs. Total personnel; 138. 

Conditions: Fire behavior is active with uphill runs and creeping. A Red Flag Warning is in effect. Fire managers are continuing suppression efforts utilizing aerial resources with retardant and hand crews and plan to hold progression lines for any movement.  
 


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.