Lackey Fan fire burns 55 acres north of La Sal

The Lackey Fan fire located northwest of La Sal burned 55 acres and continues to put plenty of smoke into the air as of Thursday afternoon.

The fire started Wednesday, September 2nd, around 2:00 pm. Multiple agencies were called to the wildfire on the South Mountain in the La Sals. Most believe that the fire originated as early as midnight Monday caused by passing thundershower activity, and lying dormant but smoldering for nearly 36 hours before sending smoke billowing skyward Wednesday afternoon.

Pam Del Real and Danny McGee, La Sal Emergency Responders, were the first to arrive at the staging area followed immediately by Utah DNR, Moab Interagency BLM, and smoke-jumpers (12-in-all) out of Grand Junction dropping in from the west onto Black Ridge, upwind of the fire. Next came the first of a dozen or more drops from several small and one large slurry-bomber.

The fire is burning approximately 4.5 miles northwest of La Sal on the U. S Forest Service Moab Ranger District and has burned approximately 55 acres, the flames have not grown significantly in over 24 hours with crews hopeful to finish mop-up quickly. It was burning primarily in the old Lackey Fan fire scar from 2013. There were four engines, one crew and three air support resources on the fire with one type 1 helicopter, two single engine air tankers and a type-21A crew ordered.

There are no current structures threatened, and no road closures or evacuation orders are in place. Smoke is very visible from Hwy 191 between Moab and Monticello. Because of limited road access crews are asking people to avoid the area.

The fire was visible from the town of La Sal and as far away as east of Monticello. Residents of La Sal were witness to the flames as darkness descended Wednesday night. They are very grateful for the swift response by all agencies in quelling this fire so quickly.

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