Riggs Fire
Dixie National Forest- On August 25th 2018 the Riggs fire was discovered by firefighting personnel. It was later determined the Riggs fire was ignited by lightning produced from previous thunderstorms in a remote area near the south end of Bryce Canyon National Park on land managed by the Dixie National Forest.
The fire is currently 42 acres in size 34.5 acres are on the Dixie National Forest and 7.5 acres in Bryce Canyon National Park. The Fire currently poses a low threat to values in the immediate area and Bryce Canyon National Park.
Fire Fighter and public safety are our number one priority for this fire. The decision has been made by Agency Administrators to allow the fire to burn whereas access and safety zones for fire fighters are extremely limited and aircraft are not always readily available to assist fire fighters in full fire suppression efforts. The Riggs fire is also being managed for ecological benefits and the fire will be carefully managed to help restore a fire dependent ecosystem to a better functioning conditions.
“The Riggs Fire strategy will be to minimize the impact to identified values and infrastructure while continually evaluating the risk to responders and the public against the probability of success. The fire will be allowed to burn for ecological benefits and the fire will be carefully managed, which will help restore the landscape to a properly functioning condition and achieve desired Land and Resource Management objectives within acceptable limits and risk factors,” said Chet Hatch Fire Management Officer for the Powell Ranger District.
Currently there are approximately 15 personnel managing the Riggs fire. There is one trail closure beginning at the Grandview Trail from the Willis Creek junction to Lower Podunk on the Dixie National Forest. It is temporarily closed for safety and welfare of the public.
Location: The fire is approximately 15 miles south of Bryce Canyon City, Utah and 1.5 miles southeast from Rainbow Point, Bryce Canyon National Park.
Discovery Date: August 25th, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acreage: 42 acres (as of September 5, 2018)
Management Objectives: The decision was made locally by the Agency Administrators to allow the fire to burn whereas safety zones and escape routes for firefighters as well as basic access into the area is very limited and aircraft may not be available to assist in a full suppression effort. The Riggs Fire is currently burning in a manner that allows for ecological benefits and the fire will be carefully managed, which will help restore the landscape to a properly functioning condition.
Fire Strategy: The Riggs Fire strategy will be to minimize the impact to identified values and infrastructure while continually evaluating the risk to responders and the public against the probability of success. The fire will be allowed to burn for ecological benefits and the fire will be carefully managed, which will help restore the landscape to a properly functioning condition and achieve desired Land and Resource Management objectives within acceptable limits and risk factors.
Closures: Forest Trail 068 Grandview Trail Willis Creek to Lower Podunk
Total Personnel: 15
Fire Information: Powell Ranger District, Dixie National Forest
435-676-9300 (8:00 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday)
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Observed fire behavior is a slow-moving surface burn through the ponderosa pine and mixed brush surface litter and dead and down fuels Current fire behavior is showing low to moderate spread rates and flame lengths from one to three feet, which has been observed in the peak of the burning period.
