Crews are now battling a third active wildfire in Southern Utah. The Black Mountain Fire ignited Thursday afternoon two miles south of Minersville, and officials estimate it is at least 4,000 acres.
Firefighters have been battling the West Valley Fire on Pine Valley Mountain and Dry Canyon Fire near Parowan since Wednesday.
All three blazes were growing as firefighters from across Utah and beyond tried to contain them.
As of Thursday afternoon, crews achieved 30 percent containment on the Dry Canyon Fire. The West Valley Fire, which exceeds 2,500 acres, remains at zero percent containment.
The Black Mountain Fire was caused by a vehicle accident, according to a news release. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the West Valley or Dry Canyon Fires.
Unfortunate weather conditions like high temperatures, lower relative humidity and high winds are expected to impact the growth of the fires throughout the day, according to Bode Mecham, a representative for the Dixie National Forest and public information officer for the West Valley Fire.
"We're unfortunately expected to have red flag warnings today for those conditions to move into the area," Mecham said. "All of those conditions work in favor of the fire."
Black Mountain Fire estimated at 4,000 acres
Described as a "fast-moving" wildfire, the Black Mountain Fire is threatening town structures in Minersville, a community approximately 25 miles north of Cedar City.
According to a Twitter account run by local fire officials, the Black Mountain Fire is estimated to be as large as 4,000 acres. It is currently the largest active wild fire in Southern Utah.
As of Thursday evening, the Black Mountain Fire was at zero percent containment, and it was caused by a vehicle accident.
Officials have also confirmed Highway 130 is currently closed, and its closure will be re-evaluated in the morning.
West Valley Fire exceeds 2,500 acres
Wind conditions have caused fire crews to ground all aerial fire-fighting efforts in the West valley Fire.
Although crews have not yet conducted a GPS flight over the West Valley Fire, Mecham said the fire has estimated to have grown nearly 500 acres overnight and even more by late Thursday afternoon — with estimates now exceeding 2,500 acres.
"We know it's a lot bigger than 2,500 acres, but without flying an aircraft to survey it, we don't know exactly how much it's grown," Mecham said.
Crews were dispatched to the wildfire around 3 p.m. on Wednesday. As of 7 p.m. that night, the GPS flight clocked the area of the fire at 2,000 acres.
"We know the fire burned actively all night, and it's growing," Mecham said.
No structures have been lost, Mecham said, and the closest structure to the fire is approximately 3-5 miles away. He said he's unsure the fire will threaten those structures, but eight fire engines are assigned specifically to look out and prepare for it.
Mecham said around 10 homes in the Grass Valley area of Pine Valley Mountain are the closest structures to the fire. He said he believes those structures are a mix of both cabins and full-time residential homes.
No evacuations have been issued at this time; however, Mecham said area closures are in effect.
As of Thursday, Mecham said law enforcement officials and fire investigators had not yet determined the origin of the fire.
"It might take a while for that to get back," Mecham said. "This fire is deep in the wilderness — it's a long hike in. I know it is currently being investigated, though."
Mecham said on Wednesday, eight smoke jumpers parachuted into the area to battle the blaze. In addition, a hot-shot hand crew and three heavy air tankers are working to contain the fire.
Dry Canyon Fire now 30 acres
Nick Howell, a Bureau of Land Management public information officer, said the Dry Canyon Fire is currently being mapped via GPS, and authorities will have a more accurate acreage in the next few hours.
It's currently estimated to have grown from 5 acres to 30 acres in just under 24 hours.
Unlike the West Valley Fire, Howell said they expect the Dry Canyon Fire to be much more contained by the afternoon.
"We're making really good progress, and the hand crews are moving pretty fast," Howell said. "If we can make it through this wind, we will have better containment today."
Although it's "super windy" in that area, according to Howell, he said authorities are optimistic about the Dry Canyon Fire because it's fairly accessible.
No structures have been threatened by the Dry Canyon Fire, Howell said. The closest structures would be in the community of Parowan.
Highway 143 has remained open, but Howell cautioned a closure could be implemented with little or no notice if the fire flares back up.
Howell said authorities have not determined the cause of the Dry Canyon Fire. However, he cautions Southern Utah residents to be mindful of their actions outdoors.
"I don't think people realize how dry it is right now," Howell said. "Any activity that could produce a spark could produce a devastating wildfire."
What you should know about fire, drone restrictions
Mecham said fire restrictions are currently in place in Southern Utah, meaning no one can build any type of fire.
"We've been having a lot of trouble with people here in Dixie who are still building fires," he said.
To clarify, according to Howell, fires are permitted inside an official campground; however, fires created outside of a formal campground are prohibited.
The penalties for disobeying the fire restrictions range anywhere from $250 up to a mandatory appearance in court, according to Mecham.
Mecham said authorities are instructing resident to "leave their drones at home."
"You cannot fly a drone over a wild fire," he said. "We don't want to have an aerial collision or a crash. We haven't had any issues so far, but when those drones come in, we have to shut down all our aviation assets."
The aircrafts that fly above a fire typically do so at low altitudes and high speeds, Mecham said, and he recalled several issues in the past with individuals flying drones over other notable Southern Utah fires in recent years like the Saddle Fire.
Howell said there have been several trends in the area in terms of unwanted human-caused fires.
"We still have a lot of abandoned human-caused fires, and it gets windy and a fire starts," Howell said. "We have a lot of problems along the highways with folks who have maintenance issues like dragging chains and tire blow outs. Another one that's prevalent over the last five years has been the cutting, grinding and welding of metal in dry areas."
This is a developing story, and The Spectrum & Daily News will update this article with information as it becomes available.
Follow reporter Emily Havens on Twitter, @EmilyJHavens, and find her on Facebook at facebook.com/emilyjhavens. Call her at 435-674-6214 or email her at [email protected].