WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah, June 22, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) -- Utah fire officials have confirmed that the Forsyth Fire was caused by a lightning strike.The fire, in the Pine Valley area, about 50 miles north of St. George, was last reported Sunday on the ...
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah, June 22, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) -- Utah fire officials have confirmed that the Forsyth Fire was caused by a lightning strike.
The fire, in the Pine Valley area, about 50 miles north of St. George, was last reported Sunday on the Utah Fire Info at 5,756 acres and said to be 10% contained.
That is a major increase from the number of 1,640 acres mapped on June 20. (The lower acreage number was reported again Sunday by the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 7.)
"The entire community of Pine Valley is under a 'Go' evacuation order and are urged to not attempt to access the area," says a Forsyth Fire update issued Sunday by the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team.
"Last night, the community of Grass Valley was issued a 'Go' evacuation. Residents of Pinto were given a 'Set' evacuation status due to the potential of fire reaching that area."
Pinto is an unincorporated area with 1,444 residents as of the 2020 Census.
Anyone with property in the area who has questions about its status is asked to reach out to the Washington County Sheriff's Office through the non-emergency dispatch line, 435-634-5730.
A Forest Closure Order has been issued for the Pine Valley Ranger District. Information and maps can be found at this link.
The Forsyth Fire was reported on June 19 around 5:30 p.m. Initial response resources worked through the evening directly engaging with the fire to protect structures within the Pine Valley Community. The suppression efforts were supported by federal, state and local wildland and structure resources. However, high winds and Red Flag conditions made it challenging for crews to stay ahead of the fire, the release says.
"As of yesterday, 14 primary structures have been lost within Pine Valley. Yesterday crews worked to extinguish hot spots in the valley bottom while continuing structure protection efforts. Over the coming days, operations staff will continue to identify safe and effective opportunities to engage the fire directly and seek containment. Firefighter and public safety are the top priority for this incident."
The Washington County Sheriff's Office, in an earlier news release, said that 17 homes burned.
Gephardt Daily will share additional information as it is available.