With recent heavy rain in Carbon and Emery Counties, firefighters are facing problems with dangerous mud slides in their efforts to fully extinguish the Seeley Fire.
With containment still at 98 percent, Manti-La Sal National Forest Public Affairs Specialist Rosann Fillmore said the recent rain is “actually helping and hurting us.”
According to Fillmore, the rain has helped slow the fire down considerably, but rains have also made fighting the fire a lengthier process. Firefighters were unable to work over the weekend because of the moisture and debris flow caused by the slides.
“(Debris flows) present another danger because they send down those loose trees and debris,” she explained.
Fillmore noted significant flooding in Nuck Woodard Canyon and in the area by the historic Stuart Guard Station on Monday (see pictures below).
Other locations affected by flooding include Consumer’s Canyon, Engineer Canyon, and Gordon Creek.
Fire officials had expected full containment of the fire on July 15. They then changed that date to July 17 at 8 p.m. Officials have yet declare full containment.