Mile Marker 25, Interstate 15 Fire Update, June 26, 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 1001 acres. (Note: No growth on the fire today, slight increase is due to more accurate mapping)

Cause: Human Caused, under investigation  

Closures:  No closures are in effect. All lanes of travel along Interstate 15 in the Virgin River Gorge are open for travel. Fire managers wish to thank the public for their cooperation and patience during the temporary lane closure that enabled fire fighter access to manage the fire and remain safe while doing so. 

Fuels: Grass, brush 

Structures: None 

Containment: 85% 

Fire Crews/Resources:  Local resources on scene include 2 engines,1 Hot Shot Crew, 2 Type II Initial Attack Crews, 1 Water Tender, 1 Type 3 Helicopter. Total personnel; 39. 

Conditions: Fire fighters will continue to patrol the fire and conduct mop up. 

Public Service Announcement: Vehicles account for over 75% of the human starts on the Arizona Strip. Fire managers wish to remind the public to avoid throwing sparks and help prevent fires by implementing the following safety rules: 1) practice safe towing by securing chains and using appropriate safety pins and hitches 2) ensure vehicles are properly maintained 3) avoid dragging anything on the ground, 3) check and maintain proper tire pressure 4) carry a fire extinguisher in vehicles and know how to use them 5) maintain brakes properly and 6) avoid driving vehicles on dry grass or brush as hot exhaust pipes and mufflers can start fires.  

For details, photos, and a map of the MM25I15 Fire go to: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7579/

Color Country Interagency Fire Management is an organization of fire management officials in southwestern Utah and northwestern Arizona (the Arizona Strip) who promote safe and effective fire management through interagency cooperation.  Since many wildfires and prescribed fires are of a multi-jurisdictional nature, interagency cooperation provides an ideal background for cohesive ecological, social, political, and economic considerations for land management. For more information concerning fire management in Color Country visit www.utahfireinfo.govor contact any of the following agencies: 

Bureau of Land Management (Cedar City)                                                 435-865-3000 
Bureau of Land Management (St. George)                                                 435-688-3200 
Dixie National Forest                                                                                     435-865-3700 
National Park Service (Zion National Park)                                               435-772-3256
Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (Cedar City)                   435-586-4408
Bureau of Indian Affairs (St. George)                                                          435-674-9720  

Get the latest regional fire updates on social media at the following pages: 

Utah fire updates on Twitter https://twitter.com/UtahWildfire 

Arizona fire updates on Twitter https://twitter.com/BLMAZFire 

National wildfire listings go to: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov 


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.