Firefighters work to save homes as Silver King Fire passes 15k acres

MARYSVALE, Utah (KUTV) — Firefighters have been working to save residential homes and historic structures as the Silver King Fire passes 15,000 acres.

The fire, allegedly caused by lightning, was first discovered on July 5.

MORE on SILVER KING FIRE:

• Silver King Fire quadruples in size in just hours, exhibiting 'extreme fire behavior'
• Silver King Fire prompts Fishlake National Forest closure; nears 15,000 acres
• Silver King Fire in Piute County doubles in size - again - to nearly 11,000 acres
• Firefighters work to save historic structures as Silver King Fire grows

On Thursday, gusty and erratic winds from local storms caused several spot fires along containment lines. Central Utah Fire Interagency said those fires were caught soon after they ignited.

Firefighters reportedly performed fire operations along a large portion of the eastern perimeter to meet the main part of the fire -- cutting away vegetation to make a line of bare soil ahead of the fire, and then burning vegetation between that line and the fire front.

Crews were successful, reportedly resulting in portions of the line reaching containment.

Firefighters were also able to secure handlines and dozer lines from the 113Road to Sarent Mountain, CUFI said, to prevent northern and western fire progression and reduce impacts to private property and the historic Silver King Mine area.

Crews are now slated to shift toward line construction on the northern part of the fire.

According to CUFI, firefighters made entry into the Miners Park and found two structures had been burned, along with the Bully Boy Mill.

"We have the community in mind when we're out here working, and the historical structures and the private properties at risk, that is the forefront of our operations," Division Supervisor Jarrod Zweigart said. "It feels really good that we have over 130 years of history out here that we have protected at this point. So it feels like a success, at this point."

Increasing moisture is predicted for this weekend, and CUFI noted atmospheric instability could bring in more lightning and erratic winds -- which could push the fire in any direction.

CUFI said that higher relative humidity overnight may give a better chance of moisture recovery, however, making fuels less receptive to burning in the early part of the day.

Smoke is going to continue to impact surrounding communities.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions have been implemented on the Fishlake National Forest, limiting where fires are allowed and what type of fires visitors can have in those areas.

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