Ring of Fire

This ominous orange glow, the air thick with the smell of smoke making it almost hard to breath, ashes raining down from fires near by. Fear and anxiety.



Ash in the parking lot at work.

These are what the past few days have been like. Great big wildfires breaking out all around Utah. People being evacuated from their homes and some of them have nothing to return to. Many many Firemen and women out everyday trying to contain these beasts just for another one to flare up. We are only at the end of June and everything is already burning out of control. With it being the driest month since 1914, I guess that shouldn't be a surprise.

~The first in Saratoga Springs "Dump Fire" started last Thursday (6/14/12) by target shooting. About 2,300 evacuees were allowed to return to their homes Saturday evening after officials determined the blaze no longer posed a threat to them. The fire has burned over approx. 6,023 acres and was 30 percent contained Saturday evening.

Saratoga Springs "Dump Fire"

~The second is the "Wood Hollow Fire" that started on Saturday (6/23/12) by what they believe was copper wire thieves, which caused the ground wire to get hot. As of today it has burned approx. 46,400 acres. Officials were still estimating that about 56 structures have been destroyed but that number could increase. Many cattle and livestock (one person reported their heard of 100 sheep) couldn't be evacuated in time and were lost in the fire. A fatality was also discovered by search and rescue crews. As of this morning they have it 25% contained and Fairview residents have been allowed to return to their homes (still evacuated in Indian Ridge, Elk Ridge, Big Hollow and Oaker Hills). This has been devastating for so many people and is even scarier because it's so close to home.


"Wood Hollow Fire"

Some of the ash at our house.

~The third is the "Seeley Fire" (15 miles northwest of Huntington, near Huntington Canyon and Gentry Mountain in the Manti-LaSal National Forest). It started by dry lightning on Tuesday (6/26/12), has now burned approx. 20,300, and is not yet contained.

"Seeley Fire"

~The forth is the "Clay Springs Fire" that is burning East of Delta. It has burned approx. 47,000 acres and about 15% containment. The town of Oak City was evacuated, but families were able to return to their homes Thursday but are still on standby.

"Clay Springs Fire"

~And now just today within the last hour there is a big one that started and took off in Rose Canyon in Herriman with mandatory evacuations in place. 3 homes already consumed by fire.

"Rose Canyon Fire"

Utah is on fire....stay safe everyone...