A few lightning-caused fires are burning on the La Sal and Abajo mountains that began Thursday, June 13.
The Lackey Fan Fire in the Manti-La Sal National Forest consumed 915 acres of pinyon, juniper, aspen and brush as of Sunday morning. The fire is 20 miles south of Moab, and three miles from the town of the La Sal.
More crews joined the 20-person initial attack crew on Friday, and a Type II Incident Management Team arrived in Moab Saturday night to begin the transition to managing the fire. Nine 20-person crews are fighting the fire or en route to the scene.
A new fire — named the Dark Canyon Fire for its origin near the Dark Canyon Wilderness Area — was reported Friday afternoon; it had grown to 150 acres Saturday morning.
Also in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, smoke jumpers made progress Friday and Saturday against several smaller fires in the Abajo Mountains, including at Butts Point, North Long Point and Horse Mountain.
The Rock Creek Fire is burning in steep terrain on state land in the Book Cliffs, about 15 miles east of East Carbon. Two Hotshot crews are battling the fire, supported by three helicopters that are dropping retardant and water on the 235-acre blaze. The fire is burning in timber at 8,000 feet and threatening some structures on the Tavaputs Plateau.
