This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Cedar City • Fire officials hope to wrap up efforts to suppress two wildland fires caused earlier this week in eastern Garfield County.
Dixie National Forest spokesman Kenton Call said Friday the fires were sparked on the forest's Escalante District by lightning from storm clouds that rolled through the area on Thursday.
Call said the Lake Creek and Sassy wildfires are small, possibly no more than an acre each, and are being aggressively oppressed because of the holiday and to keep fire out of surrounding communities.
"Because we have multiple starts, we feel that it is the best way to ensure public and firefighter safety — our No. 1 concern," Call said of firefighting efforts. "We are also very cognizant of the nuisance smoke can present to our communities during the holiday season."
Call said the fires are a reminder that the wildfire season is probably under way in central and south-central Utah and has some reminders for visitors on public lands over the holidays:
• Federal and state lands in the area are under fire restrictions.
• Campfires must be in approved fire rings and away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps, dry grass and leaves.
• Never leave a campfire unattended, and drown the fire with water and dirt before leaving a campfire.
• Fireworks of any kind are prohibited on federal and state lands in Utah. Check with your local fire department for local city/town regulations.
• Now is the time to prepare your home for a wildfire. For suggestions on how to prepare, go to http://www.firewise.org.
For more information on wildfires throughout Utah, visit http://www.utahfireinfo.gov.