High, erratic winds merge fires

ST. GEORGE — Four wildfires burning about 15 miles northwest of St. George merged on Friday to create one huge fire.

The smaller fires, burning quickly through dry brush and cheat grass on Utah Hill, were pushed together overnight by strong winds, said David Boyd, fire information officer with the Bureau of Land Management in St. George.

The fire, now called the Westside Complex Fire, has burned more than 30,000 acres and continued to make large runs on Friday evening, Boyd said.

"No homes or buildings are immediately threatened, but the fire is threatening a power line, gas line and an important communication site," he added.

The dry winds also contributed to a power problem in St. George Friday evening. Electricity surged on and off throughout sections of St. George, forcing retailers to use generators. Drivers had to stop at intersections where traffic lights were not working.

More than 300 firefighters are now assigned to the fires, with another 200 firefighters expected to arrive for duty on Sunday night, Boyd said. Two single engine air tankers, 12 engines and three water tenders are being used to fight the fire.

The Westside Complex Fire burned into the Red Fire area, which fire crews contained at 10,000 acres on Friday evening. Lightning caused both fires on Wednesday.

Lightning also caused a fire this week in Castleton, Grand County, that destroyed a storage shed containing clothing and camping supplies. Just before 7 p.m. Wednesday, lightning struck near 44 Castleton Road, causing a shed to burst into flames, threatening an adjacent shed and propane tank, according to a statement from the Grand County Sheriff's office. A house also was threatened.

The fire was contained within the hour and the only damage was to the two sheds, one of which was destroyed.

The closest community to the Westside Complex Fire is Gunlock, Washington County, about five miles from the fire.

Five more fires called the Mount Bangs Complex are burning in the Virgin Mountains of Arizona about 25 miles southwest of St. George. More than 3,000 acres have been burned by those fires, which also sent smoke into southern Utah.

Lightning also sparked several smaller fires on the Arizona Strip. Boyd said the high, erratic winds and abundant dry grass continue to hamper firefighting efforts throughout the region.

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