Monroe Canyon

## Monroe Canyon Fire Report - July 29, 2025 ### Fire Start, Size and Growth **Start Date/Time/Location**: The Monroe Canyon Fire was discovered on Sunday, July 13, 2025, around 2:20 p.m., southwest of Monroe, Utah, in Sevier County. The cause of the fire is under investigation but is believed to be human-caused. **Size and Containment**: As of Monday, July 28, 2025, the fire has grown to approximately 27,138 acres. Containment has increased to 16%. **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: The fire is burning in timber, brush, and heavy slash, with fuels including timber litter and understory, dead down fuels, and bug-killed standing dead trees. Over the past 72 hours, the fire has seen significant growth, doubling in size over the weekend of July 26-27. Fire behavior has been extreme, with torching, crown runs, and spotting observed. The fire has made significant runs to the north and northeast, driven by strong southwest winds and critically dry conditions. Flames and smoke are visible from the town of Monroe, with the fire actively burning in the lower portions of Monroe Canyon and on Monkey Flat. **Containment Efforts**: Approximately 1,053 personnel are assigned to the fire. Firefighting efforts are focused on structure protection in areas like Long Flat, Porters, Big Lake, and the Magleby area. Crews are working to establish fire lines and contingency lines, including prepping roads and constructing dozer lines. Great Basin Team 5 is mobilizing to assume command of the fire. ### Emergency Information **Evacuations and Sheltering:** **Mandatory Evacuation Orders**: Evacuations have been ordered for several areas, including Long Flat, Big Lake, Porters, Magleby, Monroe Meadows, Cove Mountain, and Elk Country Cabins. Residents in the Monroe or Cove Mountains area have been advised to evacuate. **Evacuation Warnings**: Specific zones under evacuation warnings have not been detailed in recent reports. **Evacuation Shelters and Information**: Information on specific evacuation shelters has not been widely publicized, but residents are advised to monitor local alerts from the Sevier County Sheriff's Office. **Road and Infrastructure Closures:** Several roads and trails within the Fishlake National Forest are closed due to the fire. Monroe Canyon Road is closed. Specific road closures include: 068, 071, 078, 077, 079, 080, 1224, 2468, 1234, 1150, 932, 2422, 21418, 2426, 163, 2152, 2150, 2151, 2152, 2421, 0881, 1163A, 2455, 1163, 1164, 1165, 114, 084, 2167, 2168, 1725, 1169, 2429, 085, 1167, 2163, 1222, 2436, 2189, 2190, 083, 157, 156, 153, 923, 1190, 1189, 1188, 2444, 2443, 988, 1185, 918, 917. Closed trails include: 799, 800, 796, 794, 081, 083, 084, 085, 193, 259, 110, 792, 079, PST 87, PST89, 839, 092, 091, 838, 194, 837, 832, 090, 815, 815A, 815B, 088, PST 65, PST 66, 810, 103, 252, 255, 256. **For more information, visit:** * [Utah Fire Info](https://utahfireinfo.gov/) * [Fishlake National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/fishlake) * [Sevier County Sheriff's Office](https://www.facebook.com/SevierCountySheriff) ### Current Impact **Impacts:** **Structures Impacted**: At least seven cabins have been confirmed destroyed by the fire. There is a significant threat to numerous structures, power lines, and Highway 24. **Injuries and Fatalities**: No injuries or fatalities related to the Monroe Canyon Fire have been reported in the provided information. **School and Business Closures**: No specific school or business closures have been reported for the Monroe Canyon Fire. **Notable Impacts**: Smoke from the fire is impacting air quality and visibility in communities northeast of the fire, including Richfield and Glenwood. **Safety Concerns:** **Power Outages**: No specific power outages have been reported in relation to this fire. **Water Safety**: No specific water safety concerns have been reported. **Burn Bans**: While not explicitly stated for this fire, the current dry conditions and fire activity suggest that fire restrictions are likely in place. **Air Quality**: Heavy smoke from the Monroe Canyon Fire is impacting air quality in central and eastern Utah, leading to reduced visibility and potential respiratory issues. Residents are advised to stay indoors and use air purifiers if possible. ### Ongoing Outlook **Containment Projections**: With 16% containment, firefighters anticipate continued efforts to suppress the fire. The estimated containment date is August 15, 2025. However, the fire is expected to exhibit similar active behavior with further growth anticipated due to persistent critical fire weather conditions. **Weather and Wind Warnings**: A Red Flag Warning is in effect for parts of central and southwest Utah, indicating critical fire weather conditions with hot temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds. Tuesday's forecast includes continued elevated fire weather with hot, dry, and windy conditions, with humidity values expected to fall into the single digits to low teens. Winds will generally be from the southwest at 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph in exposed areas. ### Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate **Cause**: The cause of the Monroe Canyon Fire is under investigation, but it is believed to be human-caused. **Weather and Climate**: The fire is being exacerbated by persistent critical fire weather conditions, including high temperatures, extremely low relative humidity (often in the single digits to low teens), and strong southwest winds. These conditions, combined with dry fuels, are contributing to extreme fire behavior, including torching, crown runs, and spotting. The ongoing drought conditions in Utah are a significant contributing factor to the fire's intensity and rapid spread. ### For more information, visit:** * [Utah Fire Info](https://utahfireinfo.gov/) * [Fishlake National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/fishlake) * [Sevier County Sheriff's Office](https://www.facebook.com/SevierCountySheriff)

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