Evacuations lifted as wildfire continues to burn

Almost 200 structures on the west side of Pine Valley were evacuated earlier in the week, but those residents were allowed to return home earlier Thursday.

One area, known locally as Lloyd’s Canyon, was under a mandatory evacuation, with 35 people contacted and asked to leave as the blaze came as close as three-quarters of a mile.

The Saddle Fire, as it is named, broke out last week and had grown to 500 acres as of late Tuesday afternoon. The rest of the town of Pine Valley was on notice Tuesday evening that additional evacuations may be ordered.

The Saddle Fire has crossed over a ridge and is burning down a mountainside, and fire crews have called for voluntary evacuations for all residents in Pine Valley.

“Firefighters are preparing firelines around the Pine Valley community in order to protect homes and other community infrastructure”, according to a news release from the interagency fire center.

Meanwhile, a new fire on Taylor Mountain, northwest of the eastern Utah city of Vernal, appeared to be dying down.

This morning, campgrounds were evacuated and Baker Reservoir, and all motor vehicle roads leading to Pine Valley, including Mahogany Bench Road, were closed.

Firefighters expect long, expensive fight against the wildfire, which authorities said had cost more than $1.2 million to fight so far. It’s been burning since June 13 but firefighters have been relying heavily on aircraft to stop the flames because it is burning in a rugged, steep area.

Crews were forced to ground their aircraft fighting the blaze Monday after a drone flown by someone in the area came within feet of a helicopter. They could face state misdemeanor or felony charges for violating the Saddle Fire’s 5-mile flight exclusion zone, facing penalties of up to $275,000 and three years in jail if convicted.

Washington County Sheriff Cory Pulsipher said he was unsure if there was only one drone operator or multiple. “This won’t be a citation”, he said.