Utah's Capital City Fire Department, Est. in 1883. Account not monitored 24-7. Call 911 for emergencies; 801-550-0121 for media. Content here is media approved.
Thanks to the incredible work of the firefighters, the #BonnevilleFire transitioned back to the local unit this morning. Crews and engines will remain on scene working until containment is reached and visible hotspots are extinguished. The fire remains at 566 acres and 95% contained. This is still an active fire, and the trail closures remain in place until further notice. Please do not report the smoke, which will continue to be visible.
The University of Utah President Taylor Randall and CEO of University of Utah Healthcare Dr. Bob Carter attended morning briefing to personally thank the firefighters for their heroic efforts. To paraphrase, he mentioned how often you hear the phrase in wildland fire "Hold the Line". It wasn't until Saturday night when he understood the literal meaning. Staff watched from the buildings as firefighters lined up along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail all night as a last defense against the quick moving flame front. Working tirelessly to prevent the fire from reaching the hospitals and preventing a mass evacuation. There's few things more impressive and inspiring than watching brave men and women standing in line, in the path of a fire, to protect our communities. It was truly heroic. They held that line... and saved lives
The Northern Utah Type 3 Incident Management Team and crews working the fire want to express their deep appreciation to the staff of University of Utah (including the hospitals), SLC Fire Department, SLC Emergency Management, SLCO Emergency Management, SLC Police Department, SLC Park Rangers, SLC 911 dispatch, the initial attack resources, and all those that have supported the Team to extinguish this fire. It's truly a coordinated effort, and words don't do justice to the gratitude we feel for the community. It's going to be a long, difficult fire season. This was the first of likely many fires for our Northern Utah Team and crews will respond to this summer. And while we'd rather not be here under these circumstances... we're grateful we were here to hold the line. Stay strong, Utah ๐ฅ
(Note of education: It was feasible to hold the line on this fire because of the existing fuel break of the trail, the small grass vegetation, and the right wind and uphill topography (along with many other favorable factors). This type of direct attack isn't always an option and rarely are conditions ideal where it's safe to do. The ability to stop this fire on one side quickly should not be used as comparison to larger fires in dense vegetation, burning much hotter and more dangerous. Have grace with our firefighters on this and all fires. We're quite literally doing our best, the safest way possible. Fire is the only natural disaster we ask men and women to stand in front of and stop. And that's easier said than done ๐ฅ)
The #BonnevilleFire has increased to 95% contained and is still 566 acres. Thanks to the hard work of the crews, there has been no growth of the fire over the last 24 hours.
An overnight infrared flight mapped and identified all the remaining heat sources around the fire. Only one was found along the perimeter. Most of the hot spots were interior, and crews were able to hike in today and continue to suppress these heat sources. The remaining portion of the perimeter uncontained may take another day or so to finalize containment. There is still interior fire and heat. Smoke will be visible. Please do not report.
Because of the continued heat within the fire (verified by the infrared flight), the Bonneville Shoreline, Red Butte, and Dry Gulch Trails will remained closed. City Creek Trail will open tomorrow, as there isn't a threat to that area. Rangers and law enforcement are patrolling the area to catch any trespassers.
Due to the progress, the fire will be turned back over to a local Type 4 team in the morning. Two crews and multiple engines will remain on scene until full containment, and awhile after to assure any interior hot spots are extinguished.
We continue to receive reports of people in and around the area of the active Bonneville Fire. This disrupts fire fighting efforts and puts us all in danger. Stay clear of active fires, do not fly drones near fires, do not drive into the area to watch firefighting efforts. @slcfire
The largest concern on the #BonnevilleFire continues to be the public. Reminder.... THERE IS STILL AN ACTIVE FIRE ๐ฅ
Many 911 calls were recieved overnight, reporting fire and smoke. As stated multiple times, there is continued heat, fire, and smoke within the interior of the fire. Firefighters are on scene working the fire. Containment only refers to the perimeter, that the fire will not move. It does not mean there isn't still fire. Please do not call 911 about this fire.
We're continuing to see many members of the public in the fire area. Ignoring the trail closures, and walking into the black. This is especially dangerous, as they could step into a hot spot or be close to where a flare up occurs. It is incredibly frustrating to take firefighters off the line working to stop and talk to the public in an area they shouldn't be. Please help us help the firefighters and stay out for your own safety.
Fire remains at 566 acres and 84% contained.
*Photo of a member of the public in the fire area directly above the hospital. Minutes later there was a fire flare up a short distance from where this person was standing. Firefighters had to ask him to leave*
Evening update for the #BonnevilleFire on 6โ23.
Still 566 acres and now 84% contained. Despite little-to-no movement on the perimeter, there are still pockets of internal heat. Crews responded to two areas today within the fire that started putting up flames and smoke.
As we increase containment, it's important to note that this only refers to the perimeter. It does not mean there isn't heat and fire within the interior of the fire. This is why the area and trails remain closed to the public. Not only to stay out of the firefighters way, but for their own safety to avoid hot pockets of fire. Multiple people were caught hiking in the area today, which is incredibly dangerous. Please stay out of the fire area until fire managers lift the closures.
As progress is made, the Northern Utah Type 3 team will start releasing and sharing resources with the other fires in the state in need. The map shows the area of containment.
The #BonnevilleFire has increased to 84% containment. Crews will continue strengthen the lines through end of shift today and likely tomorrow to finalize containment. Thanks to incredible work from the firefighters on the ground and in the air for all their hard work.
This aerial view from Air Attack gives a good perspective of how close the fire came to the University and structures.
The #BonnevilleFire was extremely quiet overnight. The fire is 566 acres and 43%. There's currently 184 personnel on scene. As other fires in the state have immediate needs, we will share resources we can spare to assist response.
There's currently no threat to residents or structures, but the trails are still closed (Bonneville Shoreline, City Creek, Dry Creek, and Red Butte Trail.)
The event at Red Butte tonight is still planned to continue. We ask attendees to use extra caution in the area and to avoid blocking roadways and egress.
We will resume updates for the #BonnevilleFire tomorrow as new information becomes available. Please continue to stay out of the area and abide by the Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR).
The #BonnevilleFire is now 43% containment and mapped at 566 acres.
There was minimal fire behavior today, mostly creeping and smoldering in the understory of the oak and larger vegetation. The firefighters were able to get a fire break around the entire perimeter. Most of the edge was cold, and crews continue to cool the remaining heat sources that are found. Air attack was available to support but at this point in the fire suppression efforts, aviation isn't as effective as firefighters on the ground. The firefighters will strengthen the fire breaks in the next few days, working to reach full containment.
There are currently no evacuations or communities directly threatened by the fire. The structure protection crews will remain on scene in case conditions change.
The trails remain closed to the public. The Northern Utah Incident Management Team is coordinating with Red Butte Gardens to avoid any impacts to the planned events this week. While it is safe to attend these events, we remind the public to take extra precaution in the area.
Despite the smoke in the air along the Wasatch Front, crews on #BonnevilleFire are making great progress. A mapping flight estimated acreage at 566, but that has not yet been ground truthed by crews or GIS. The acreage and containment will be updated later today when calculated. Fire managers are confident we will see an increase in containment tonight.
The "Ready" status has been lifted for Arlington Hills and there are correctly no areas of any level of evacuations on this fire. Residents should continue to follow fire updates, but the threat to the community is minimal at this time.
The smoke in the air in the Salt Lake Valley is mostly from the #HastingsFire near Tooele. With the wind blowing east, the smoke from their firing operations is blowing towards Salt Lake. There has not been an increase in fire activity on the Bonneville Fire.
Please continue to stay out of the area so crews can crews can continue to work towards containment. Stay tuned for the 3:00 live brief.
#BonnevilleFire
When conditions become favorable for wildland fires, especially with increased heat, lower humidity, or stronger winds, fire activity can quickly intensify and spread.
Bonneville Fire Update - 1:15
Crews are still hard at work containing the fire. There will be a media brief at 3:00 to go over any new details. We have a couple of informational pieces to share.
The READY status for the Arlington Hills neighborhood has been LIFTED.
Bonneville Fire Update - 9:30
Again, the fire is now 495 acres and 5% contained.
Air and ground crews made strong progress yesterday on the fire. Overnight, increased cloud cover and humidity helped moderate fire behavior, resulting in minimal activity.
โ ๏ธ BE ADVISED - Trails still remain closed, and the Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in effect.
The trails that are CLOSED are:
Bonneville Shoreline
City Creek
Dry Gulch
Red Butte Trail