Residents are cautious after Silver King Fire ‘significantly increased’ in size
MARYSVALE, Utah (ABC4) — Officials said the Silver King Fire in southern Utah had “significantly increased in acreage” within just a day.
The blaze was discovered on Friday, July 5, and as of Sunday night, the fire was estimated at more than 10,800 acres — but that estimation was revised on Monday.
The U.S. Forest Service of Fishlake National Forest posted an update on social media on Monday, saying the fire had increased from 5,400 acres on Sunday morning to about 10,026 acres.
“The Silver King fire is a full suppression fire, this strategy involves putting out fires as soon as possible to prevent them from spreading,” the U.S. Forest Service said Monday.
Officials cited “extreme weather conditions” for the fire’s increase in size. The U.S. Forest Service said winds were expected from the north, with gusts expected up to 25 miles per hour on the ridgeline on Monday.
“These elements combine for extreme fire weather,” the Forest Service said.
As of Monday, there were no mandatory evacuations in place, but residents were able to evacuate if they wished.
“I feel a little less panicked today. Maybe it’s just because the smoke’s going in a different direction,” a local Marysvale business owner told ABC4.com on Monday.
The Silver King Fire was still estimated at zero percent contained throughout Monday, according to the Utah Wildfire Dashboard.
How crews are responding to the Silver King Fire
“Engines, crews, aircraft, and dozers are working very hard in extreme conditions to mitigate fire spread where possible,” Utah Fire Info said on Sunday evening.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved the use of federal funds to fight the Silver King Fire on Sunday as well. FEMA said roughly 300 homes in Marysvale were being threatened by the wildfire.
“The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires,” FEMA said in a press release.
FEMA explained the grant would not cover individual home or business owners, nor would it cover other infrastructure damage.
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