Plenty of wildfires still burning in Utah

Firefighters have successfully contained the lightning-caused Cliff fire that has burned in Zion National Park and adjacent Bureau of Land Management lands since last Tuesday. Yet a number of fires continue to burn across the state.

While Mother Nature is the main culprit, fire officials are urging those who recreate outdoors to remain vigilant and ensure their actions do not spark more with two months still remaining in the fire season.

"It hasn't been a big fire year with the total acreage and number of fires burning," said David Eaker, fire information and education specialist for Zion National Park. "But there are still a good two months in the fire season across the West."

The Cliff fire began at Black Ridge in BLM forest six miles south of the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center during a strong thunderstorm that passed over the area, according to a release from Zion National Park. The fire was driven by winds and spread quickly in a northeastern direction into Zion. The fire burned a total of 744 acres, with 306 of those being in the park. On Saturday firefighters mopped up the remaining hot spots along the fire line, and all but 20 were released and made available for other assignments.

With the fire no longer a threat to visitors, the Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive and trail in the canyon have been reopened for day use. No overnight camping will be allowed until fire crews are sure the fire is not a threat to backcountry users.

For those enjoying the outdoors Eaker advised they keep fire safety on the top of their minds. Common starters of human-caused fire include campfires, vehicles, debris burning and target shooting. Eaker said that campers should check their fires before leaving by resting the palms of their hands on the coals; if they are cool to the touch, then the fire is out.

The lightning-caused Lake Fork fire that began on July 2 is still burning, and a release from the Sanpete Ranger District says it continues to grow. On Friday and Saturday hot dry winds pushed the fire southeast, increasing the burned area to 1,086 acres. It began in the Lake Fork Canyon area and has continued to burn among pinyon and juniper trees along the northwestern face of the Wasatch Plateau.

According to a release from the district, the Forest Service is allowing the fire to burn for resource benefits, yet crews will take action to suppress the fire if lives or property are threatened.

In the past, fire crews worked to douse any fire that threatened forest, yet Eaker says that is an antiquated "Smokey Bear" philosophy that isn't subscribed to anymore.