Sawmill Fire Expands To 1100 Acres In Iron County

Utah Fire Info is reporting a new wildfire start in Iron County. The Sawmill Fire was first reported Tuesday afternoon. Initial postings by Utah Fire Info on Facebook listed the size of the fire at 60 acres, but by 6:30 in the evening the Utah Fire Info website listed the size of the fire at 900 acres. Later in the night the raised the acreage burned to 1,100

The website also indicated that the preliminary cause of the fire was listed as natural. The fire is located near Steamboat Mountain close to Beryl.

Aerial attacks on the blaze are being done by helicopters conducting bucket drops. Single Engine Aerial Tankers (SEAT) aircraft are also dropping retardant in the fire. Engines, handcrews and other resources have been ordered. The BLM is currently the agency directing fire operations.

Iron County Sheriff Evacuates some Cabins

While no structures have been affected at this point, out of an abundance of caution, the Iron County Sheriff's office has evacuated about six cabins and yurts located within two to four miles of the fire.

If the fire expands to threaten permanent homes in the area, the sheriff's office is planning to use the reverse 9-1-1 alert system to notify registered residents.

Compounding the situation is the National Weather Service has the region under a Red Flag Warning until 9PM Wednesday evening. Winds, however, are expected to subside somewhat during the overnight period.

Get our free mobile app

The Iron County Sheriff's Office Volunteer Posse posted on social media that they had units working in the area and that the fire was burning in a mainly uninhabited area of the county. They issued a plea for people to avoid coming to the area to sightsee.