"It can still gain in acreage." The fire contributed to the deaths of a California couple whose motorcycle was struck by a car in heavy smoke Saturday. It also destroyed at least one home, about 10 outbuildings, pastures and apparently scores of cattle, leaving ranchers fearful for their livelihoods.
The fire has burned about 300,000 acres in Beaver and Millard counties, but Monday brought lighter winds due in part to a high pressure system that has settled above central Utah. Muir said thunderstorms are expected Wednesday and could bring stronger winds with them and it is likely that thunderstorms could build over the week and may produce microburst winds and dry lightning that could spark more fires. The National Weather Service is predicting that firefighters on the Milford blaze will have to contend with daytime temperatures in the 90s, said Brandon Smith, a fire weather meteorologist.
Even with the fairer conditions, the fire demonstrated its power. The ramp from Interstate 70 to Interstate 15 was closed for about 15 minutes Monday when flames approached it and black smoke shot through it. Were you there?
If you have photos of the Milford Flat fire, please contact The Salt Lake Tribune at photo@sltrib.com, or call 801-257-8733. About 200 firefighters from all over the West arrived Monday and joined the 100 local firefighters who have been on the blaze since lightning ignited it Friday.
Organizers have said they want 500 personnel but are competing with about 20 other Western fires, including others in Utah. "Lots of fire, lots of incident management teams all over," he said. "That's what we have to prioritize.
" Randy Turrill, a division commander for BLM firefighters of Cedar City, said Monday he had 10 people, two engines and two bulldozers to cover the 25 miles of fire line for which he was responsible. Normally, he said, he would have 50 people. "We don't have a whole lot of folks, and the fire is so large we're stretched thin," Turrill said as a juniper tree ignited in flames about 50 yards in front of him.
"It can still gain in acreage.
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