WEDNESDAY 6/30/2021 9:38 a.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – The Pack Creek fire currently burns at 8,592 acres and is 85% contained.
Firefighter continue to monitor the fire and fire behavior is expected to remain minimal. Recent light rains over most of the fire have helped to decrease fire activity and add ash to the soil. Humidity, wind, and moisture are expected in the area throughout the week.
The fire continues to burn in the interior and Moab residents may see smoke throughout the summer.
The Manti La Sal National Forest updated the closure order for the La Sal Mountains on June 24. Though the updated closure is still in effect, people beginning to re-enter the area should be on the lookout for fallen trees, uneven ground, reduced visibility from dust or smoke, firefighting personnel who continue to work in the area, and other hazards.
MONDAY 6/28/2021 7:59 a.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – The Pack Creek Fire burns at 8,952 acres and is 80% contained as of June 28.
Firefighters continue to monitor the fire, address hotspots along the fire perimeter, and complete rehabilitation work. They expect to continue to increase containment, patrol the fire line, and address hotspots and hazards. The public can expect trail and recreation sites to close to protect public safety.
The Temporary Flight Restriction continues to remain in place for Spanish Vallet Drive into the La Sal Mountains. Unauthorized aircraft, including drones is illegal in the area. Evacuations remain in place in the Holyoak and Dark Canyon areas. The La Sal Loop Road is open. Geyser Pass and Oowah Lake Roads are closed, along with Warner Lake and Oowah Lake Campgrounds.
Investigators are asking for help in locating those responsible for starting the fire. Anyone with information should call the Pack Creek Fire tip line at 775-355-5337.
FRIDAY 6/27/2021 11:04 a.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) -The Pack Creek Fire currently burns at 8,952 acres and is 77% contained, as of June 27.
According to Utah Wildfire, due to favorable conditions and weather, fire behavior was minimal yesterday.
As of June 27, firefighters will continue to secure, patrol, and mop-up the fire line. Moisture is expected to remain in the area over the next few days.
Utah Wildfire informs that public and state lands are in stage 2 fire restrictions in Carbon, Emery, Grand and San Juan counties. Stage 2 restrictions mean campfires are not allowed the stated areas.
FRIDAY 6/25/2021 12:04 p.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – The Pack Creek Fire currently burns at 8,952 acres and is 73% contained, as of June 25.
According to Utah Wildfire, in relative humidity and rain led to decreased fire activity and aided suppression efforts.
WEDNESDAY 6/23/2021 7:11 p.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)- The Pack Creek Fire is now 73% contained as of Wednesday evening.
Wildfire officials say the fire is now 8,952 acres in size.
As containment on the fire continues to increase, personnel will be reassigned to other fires.
TUESDAY 6/22/2021 7:11 p.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – The Pack Creek Fire is now 66% contained as of Tuesday evening.
Despite seeing minimal growth on Tuesday, the wildfire has now grown to 9,952 acres in size.
378 personnel have been assigned to handle the fire.
TUESDAY 6/22/2021 7:39 a.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – The Pack Creek Fire, burning in San Juan County, remains at 62% contained Tuesday morning.
Utah Fire Info reports crews will continue securing the lines where they can safely do so on Tuesday.
Some areas of the fire are steep, rocky, and inaccessible, and will be monitored by both ground and air resources for an increase in activity. The fire remains moderately active in Geyser Pass and Haystack Mountain areas. Gusty winds will likely continue to make smoke visible from the Pack Creek Fire, which was started by an abandoned campfire.
Unmanned aircraft, equipped with infrared camers, are continuing to search for hot spots, mostly on the north and east sides of the fire.
Additionally, Utah Fire Info reports Pack Creek resources continue to support the four lightning-ignited fires located north of the Moab Valley. Among those is the Sego Fire, the largest of the fires, which is about 150 acres.
The La Sal Loop Road is now open, but the Manti-La Sal National Forest closure remains in place, and the area remains closed for any type of recreation on public lands.
The community is encouraged to avoid driving on the La Sal Loop Road, unless necessary to access private property, due to the continued presence of heavy fire traffic. The roads to Oowah Lake, Warner Lake, and Geyser Pass remain closed.
Road closures for La Sal Pass Road and Dark Canyon Lake Road remain ongoing due to fire activity on the northeast side of the fire. Evacuations remain in place in and around Geyser Pass from Blue Lake to the east toward the Dark Canyon area, according to Utah Fire Info.
“Trail closures associated with the Pack Creek Fire include: the Whole Enchilada, Burro Pass, Dry Fork of Mill Creek, Moonlight Meadows, Clark Lake, Warner to Miners, Mountain View, Schumanns Gulch, Trans La Sal, South Mountain, Pack Creek, and Hells Canyon,” Utah Fire Info says. “Investigators are still seeking leads to help identify those responsible for the fire’s ignition. Anyone who has information related to the identification of the responsible party of the Pack Creek Fire can call the tip line at 775-355-5337.”
Pack Creek Fire now 62% contained, crews beginning to be released from scene
MONDAY 6/21/2021
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – Firefighters are slowly but surely closing in on the Pack Creek Fire.
According to officials, the fire showed minimal activity Monday with no change in acreage, still sitting at 8,949 acres. It is now 62% contained.
As the fire containment increases, officials say firefighters will begin to be released to assist other incidents.
Currently, there are 483 firefighters assigned, according to fire officials.
MONDAY 6/21/2021 7:38 a.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – Authorities announced Monday morning the Pack Creek Fire is 58% contained.
Authorities state fire activity is decreasing, however the northeast side remains active in inaccessible areas and full containment is expected to remain challenging.
Saturday’s lightning storms ignited four new fires in the vicinity of Moab Valley, officials say. Pack Creek Fire resources will provide assistance in attempt to prevent another larger incident.
According to Utah Wildfire, 549 firefighters are on scene, 10 helicopters, 26 engines and 15 crews.
Officials estimate the cost at $7.4 million.
SUNDAY 6/20/2021 8:43 a.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – The Pack Creek Fire currently burns at 8,938 acres and is 44% contained, as of June 20.
According to Utah Wildfire, crews were aided by higher humidity and cloud cover over most of the fire area. Officials say there are currently 557 firefighters assigned to the incident.
SATURDAY 6/19/2021 9:00 a.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – The Pack Creek Fire currently burns at 8,938 acres and is 43% contained, as of June 19.
According to State wildfire officials, Friday’s forecasted dry lightning ignited three new wildfires in the vicinity of the Pack Creek Fire; two of the fires were near Monticello and the third was on private property near Carpenter Ridge, approximately four miles east of the Pack Creek fire perimeter.
Officials say crews are assessing the flames and despite the challenging conditions, overall containment on the Pack Creek Fire increased to 43 percent.
FRIDAY 6/18/2021 9:09 p.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – State wildfire officials say dry lightning has struck near the Pack Creek Fire, igniting two smaller fires, approximately 1/4 acres, which were quickly extinguished by firefighters.
The fire has now grown to a size of 8,938 acres and is 43% contained.
THURSDAY 6/17/2021 10:05 p.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – Firefighters were able to gain more control of the Pack Creek Fire thanks to cloud cover and lower daytime temperatures Thursday.
According to fire officials, crews limited the fire’s spread by an additional 88 acres, making the total size of the fire 8,531 acres.
Crews say the fire is now 36% contained.
WEDNESDAY 6/16/2021 9:10 p.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – Wildfire officials say firefighters made “good progress” on the Pack Creek Fire, which continues to burn in San Juan County.
Utah Fire Info reports the Pack Creek Fire is now 30% contained with zero reported injuries since the fire began.
The fire has grown to a size of 8,518 acres.
WEDNESDAY 6/16/2021 1:47 p.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – Fire crews were able to largely increase containment on a fire burning in San Juan County.
In a Wednesday morning update, Utah Fire Info reports the Pack Creek Fire is now 26% contained, up from 16% Tuesday night.
The fire is measured at 8,453 acres and is believed to have been started by an abandoned campfire.
Pack Creek Fire 16% contained
TUESDAY 6/15/2021 10:03 p.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – As of Thursday evening, wildfire officials say the Pack Creek fire is 26% contained and has spread to 8,453 acres in size.
Responders are attributing the containment to “favorable conditions, assistance from aircraft, and good work by firefighting personnel.”
MONDAY 6/14/2021 8:44 p.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – Wildfire officials now say the Pack Creek Fire in San Juan County is 16% contained as of Monday evening.
The fire has now grown to a size of 8,243, acres and 426 emergency responders are currently working to put out the fire.
MONDAY 6/14/2021 3:22 p.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – Wildfire officials have now determined the cause of a wildfire that continues to burn in San Juan County.
The Pack Creek Fire is said to have been caused by an abandoned campfire in the Pack Creek Day Use Area on June 9.
Investigators are now asking the public for help in locating the person who left the campfire unattended.
If you have any information on the incident, you are asked to call 775-355-5337.
MONDAY 6/14/2021 9:41 a.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – The Pack Creek Fire has now burned 8,243 acres and is just 6% contained.
According to the Utah Fire info the La Sal Mountain’s drought is the worst it has been in 90 years. The combination of heat, extremely dry fuels, and steep, rugged terrain is presenting challenges to the firefighters.
Evacuations for Pack Creek Fire
MONDAY 6/14/2021 6:08 a.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for all private property around the east side of Geyser Pass due to flames from the Pack Creek Fire breaching the road.
According to authorities, this includes anyone from Blue Lake down through Dark Canyon area.
AS of Sunday, the Pack Creek Fire, started by an abandoned campfire, has reached 5,164 acres.
Pack Creek Fire reaches 5,164 acres, 6% contained, closure order issued
SUNDAY 6/13/2021 9:30 a.m.
MOAB, Utah (ABC4) – The Pack Creek Fire currently is burning through 5,000 acres of land and is 6% contained, as of June 13.
According to Utah Wildfire, the cause of the fire has been determined by an abandoned campfire.
Officials say as conditions remain very dry throughout the state and on public lands, it is vital to keep “fire sense” in mind.
New closure ordered for Pack Creek Fire
SATURDAY 6/12/21 2:00 p.m.
MOAB, Utah (ABC4) – Officials state that a new closure order has been issued for the Pack Creek Fire.
According to Utah Wildfire, the order will be in effect from June 12 to July 1 at 6:00 a.m. Fire authorities also state that anyone who violates the prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for an organization, and/or imprisonment for not more than six months.
Pack Creek Fire reaches 5,164 acres
SATURDAY 6/12/21 9:06 a.m.
MOAB, Utah (ABC4) – The Pack Creek Fire, burning in Moab, has burned a total of 5,164 acres.
The U.S. Forest Service says the fire, sparked by an abandoned campfire, is 0% contained as of Saturday morning. It is continuing to burn through grass, brush and timber. The terrain is rugged, with steep canyons and basins.
“With more firefighters and support personnel arriving in Moab this morning, the Great Basin Incident Management Team 4 will continue building containment lines, focusing on the Pack Creek community to ensure that the area is safe for evacuated residents to return to their homes,” Fire authorities share.
According to officials, crews from Rocky Mountain Power have restored electricity within the Pack Creek area. Manti-La Sal National Forest officials say they are developing an area closure order for the west face of the La Sal Mountains today to maintain public safety and allow incident crews to safely access fire lines.
Four primary structures and six outbuildings were lost in the Pack Creek community, and five primary structures were damaged by fire.
Type 2 Team assumes management of Pack Creek Fire
FRIDAY 6/11/21 10:42 p.m.
MOAB, Utah (ABC4) – A Type 2 Team has arrived in Moab and will assume management of the Pack Creek Fire.
Fire officials say four primary structures and six outbuildings have been lost in the Pack Creek community due to the fire, with five other primary structures damaged.
As of Friday morning, the wildfire has reached nearly 5,000 acres.
Pack Creek Fire at over 4.9K acres, 0% contained, after destroying 3 structures
FRIDAY 6/11/2021 11:46 a.m.
MOAB, Utah (ABC4) – A wildfire burning near Moab has reached nearly 5,000 acres as of Friday morning.
Utah Fire Info reports an infrared flight over the Pack Creek Fire in Grand County shows the 4,944 acre blaze is still 0% contained.
On Thursday, the Pack Creek Fire destroyed three structures and caused the Warner Lake Campground, Oowah Lake Campground, and the community of Pack Creek to be evacuated.
The La Sal Mt. Loop Road is closed until the Warner Cut Off, including Geyser Pass Road.
Because of the increased size and complexity, Utah Fire Info says the Great Basin Team 4 Type 2 Incident Management Team will arrive Friday and assume management of the fire at 6 a.m. Saturday.
3 structures destroyed, evacuations in place as Pack Creek Fire grows
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – Three structures have now been lost as a result of the Pack Creek Fire burning outside Moab.
The community of Pack Creek, Warner Lake Campground, and Oowah Lake Campground have been evacuated as crews continue battling the fire, according to authorities.
La Sal Mountain Loop Road, including Geyser pass, has also been closed until Warner cut off, officials say.
The #PackCreekFire (outside of Moab) is 0% contained and 650 acres. The community of Pack Creek, Warner Lake Campground and Oowah Lake Campground have been evacuated. La Sal Mt. Loop Road including the Geyser pass, is closed until Warner cut off. Three structures lost. #blmrjw
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) June 10, 2021
Officials say the fire has expanded to 650 acres, up from 400 Thursday morning.
As of Thursday evening, the fire remains at 0% contained.
Pack Creek Fire grows, destroys one structure
THURSDAY 6/10/2021 11:35 a.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – The San Juan wildfire has grown to 400 acres, up from 120 on Wednesday night.
The Pack Creek Fire, 0% contained as of late Thursday morning, has prompted all homes in the Pack Creek community to be evacuated. Officials say a significant wind shift Wednesday night pushed the fire down the canyon.
One structure has been destroyed, according to Utah Fire Info.
Ground crews had to disengage because of the extreme fire behavior.
Authorities say the fire started Wednesday about 10 miles southeast of Moab by an unattended campfire.
One crew, two helicopters, and six engines are working to contain the blaze.
Crews across Utah are working to contain multiple fires, including the Bear Fire in Carbon County and the Mammoth Fire in southern Utah.
Winds shift direction of Pack Creek Fire, multiple structures threatened
WEDNESDAY 6/9/21 10:03 p.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – Winds have shifted the Pack Creek Fire further down the canyon in San Juan County, Wednesday night.
Multiple structures are threatened, fire officials say.
#PackCreekFire update- Winds shifted, driving the fire down the canyon. Multiple structures are threatened. Ground crews have had to disengage due to the extreme fire behavior. #usfsss
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) June 10, 2021
Ground crews have had to disengage due to the extreme fire behavior, according to authorities.
Pack Creek Fire reaches 120 acres in San Juan County
WEDNESDAY 6/9/21 8:12 p.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – The Pack Creek Fire burning in San Juan County has now reached 120 acres in size.
As of Wednesday evening, wildfire officials say no evacuations have been ordered and the fire is currently moving away from nearby structures.
ORIGINAL STORY: Crews responding to new wildfire in San Juan County
WEDNESDAY 6/9/21 5:42 p.m.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – Another wildfire has been reported in Utah Wednesday afternoon.
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Crews are responding to the wildfire, dubbed the “Pack Creek Fire,” that is burning in San Juan County near the Manti-La Sal National Forest, south of Moab.
The fire is currently estimated to be five acres in size.
Wildfire officials say a forest service campground and one structure are currently threatened in the fire.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
This is a developing story. It will be updated as more information becomes available.
