A dry lightning storm sparked seven fires in the area. The Rock Creek Fire is the largest and is located 15 miles east of East Carbon. It was last reported to have burned 110 acres.
Moab Fire Information Officer, Sandy Nelson stated that because the fire is in a remote and harsh area, firefighters can only get within two miles of the fire line. An aerial attach is being mounted.
Manti-La Sal National Forest Acting Public Affairs Officer John Zapell issued the following press release:
MOAB, UT- June 14, 2013: Yesterday evening a dry lightning storm passed through southeast Utah. Seven fires have been reported as a result of this storm.
The largest fire is the Rock Creek Fire, located about 15 miles east of East Carbon (near Price). It was reported as 110 acres and growing last night. Local resources were on the fire last night. Two handcrews and a heavy-lift helicopter have been ordered for the incident. The fire is burning on State Lands.
On the Manti-La Sal National Forest, the Lackey Fan Fire, is burning 20 miles southeast of Moab, UT. One handcrew and two wildland fire engines have been ordered for this incident, in addition to local resources. The fire was reported at 18 acres and growing in Pinyon/juiper last night.
Moab Fire Information Officer, Sandy Nelson said that the Lackey fire can be seen from Wilson Arch and Highway 191. Some structures are in danger, but so far none are directly in the path of the flames.
Three more small fires on the Abajo range will be staffed by smokejumpers this morning. Information on these fires, as well as other fires burning in Utah may be found at https://www.utahfireinfo.gov.
Continue to report new wildfires to the Moab Interagency Fire Center at (435) 259-1850.