In Kane County, summer cabins near Navajo Lake have been evacuated as a series of blazes burning in Zion National Park moved closer to them. The Dakota Hill Fire complex has grown to more than 7,300 acres. The Kane County Sheriff's Office would not say how many people were being evacuated, or what was being done with the evacuees.

"We've ordered an evacuation of residents of North Fork Road from Highway 89 to Navajo Lake," said Erik DeGroat, a spokesman for the park.

Several hundred firefighters will begin arriving today to battle the fires.

Access to the backcountry of Zion National Park has been prohibited. The backcountry ban took effect this morning. No backcountry or canyoneering permits will be issued, park rangers said.

"The three fires in the Dakota Hill Fire complex in Zion National Park are all posing threats to most of Zion's backcountry areas and the safety of visitors," ranger David Eaker said in a statement.

The Dakota Hill Fire complex is actually three separate fires sparked by lightning on July 16. Access to the remote and rugged areas has limited firefighters.

Fires burning all over the western United States and the forecast for more wildfires have prompted the National Interagency Fire Center to elevate its preparedness level.

The NIFC today moved to a preparedness level 5, the highest level, increasing the number of fire crews and equipment available to fight wildfires across the west. There were 412 new fires reported in the West on Wednesday.

Across Utah, new wildfires have been reported. They include:

• The Monarch Fire, which is burning on the north end of the Lakeside Mountains in Tooele County. The fire has burned more than 14,000 acres since it was first reported Wednesday.

• The 150-acre Kimball Fire, burning about 15 miles west of Grantsville. Fire officials said the wildfire is threatening one home and smoke is visible from I-80.

• The Kate Fire, burning in remote Rich County, has consumed more than 500 acres of sagebrush and grass. Firefighters said it is 60 percent contained.

The National Weather Service has issued another red flag warning today for much of Utah, indicating that strong winds and low humidity make conditions ripe for more wildfires.

Firefighters reported some progress today on a series of blazes still burning in Utah, including:

• The Neola North Fire remains at 89 percent containment, burning more than 43,000 acres of land in and around the Ashley National Forest. The fire, burning in eastern Utah, killed three men and burned a dozen homes when it started June 29. The cause remains under investigation.

The BLM said several smaller fires were burning in southern Utah, including:

• The Radio Fire, burning 6,436 acres about 15 miles southwest of St. George. Fire teams were working to suppress the fire.

• The Road Canyon Fire, a 50 acre blaze 30 miles southwest of St. George.

• The Red Hollow Fire, burning 50 acres about five miles northwest of Motoqua.

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com

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Contributing: Suzanne Dean

E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com