MARYSVALE, Utah (KUTV) — The Silver King Fire in Piute County continues to grow. State fire officials said the fire has doubled again to 10,823 acres.
The last update was published on Sunday around 7 p.m.
The fire broke out Friday afternoon in the Beaver Creek drainage area of Fishlake National Forest after a lightning strike. It was initially reported to be 50 to 60 acres in size.
By Saturday morning, the fire had grown to 686 acres and quadrupled in size to 2,830 acres a few hours later.
As of Sunday morning, the fire was reported at more than 5,400 acres, just 15 hours later.
Authorities said the fire was 0% contained and exhibiting “extreme fire behavior.”
Winds are a challenge for crews working in extreme conditions, including heat, wind and difficult terrain. Aerial firefighting is also challenging.
“Fixed-wing aircraft have been grounded due to turbulent winds, and helicopters are still in heavy use,” Utah Fire Info posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
MORE on Silver King Fire:
Firefighters and an aircraft crew were working east and south of the fire Sunday morning, using specialist resources including several very large air tankers.
Helicopters, bulldozers and other heavy equipment were also used to reduce the risk to the population and expand the secure area.
Authorities said additional action plans are being considered by fire officials as crews continue to work to protect nearby structures.
“A Red Flag Warning remains in effect through 9 p.m. tonight, warning of record temperatures, low humidity and winds up to 30 miles per hour in the northwest,” authorities said.
Voluntary evacuations were ordered Saturday in the Upper Bullion area due to the rapid growth of the fire. By Sunday, residents of Upper Bullion Canyon had been evacuated, according to Marysvale city officials.
As of Sunday evening, authorities said no structures had been lost.
The Silver King Fire broke out Friday night, about 13 kilometres west of Marysvale. Authorities said lightning started the fire.
Both the governor and lieutenant governor of Utah posted information about the fire on social media after attending a briefing on the fire.
“I have received word of the Silver King Fire raging… near Marysvale. The fire continues to spread and the heat is not helping,” said Governor Spencer Cox.
Cox thanked the various agencies that worked to bring the fire under control — including volunteer firefighters from Marysvale, Junction and Sanpete — as well as deputies from the Sevier and Piutes county sheriff’s offices and search and rescue teams.
He said crews from Utah Forestry Fire and State Lands, Fremont Indian State Park, Otter Creek State Park, the Utah Department of Public Safety and the U.S. Forest Service & Bureau of Land Management also responded to assist.
Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson released a photo of the Idaho City Hotshots, who were also dispatched to the Silver King fire to assist.
“All hands on deck. We are grateful to the firefighters and emergency management personnel who are working around the clock to keep us safe,” she said.
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