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BEAVER — The Little Twist wildfire has now been mapped at 2,250 acres on Sunday, according to a news release from the Central Utah Fire Interagency.
The fire, which started earlier this week as a controlled burn, is located 4 miles southeast of Beaver, and is 0% contained.
The blaze "saw little growth today," fire officials posted on social media Sunday night. "Aerial resources were utilized to minimize fire behavior in areas of concern. Firefighters are continuing to identify and construct containment lines, while working in high temperatures and steep, rugged terrain."
Fire behavior is expected to be very active with low humidities and with strong gusty winds expected through Monday.
The Central Utah Type 3 Incident Management Team took command of the fire on Saturday at 6 a.m. and it grew to 1,000 acres by the end of the day. On Friday, the fire was listed at 857 acres, and was being fought by hotshots, local engines and air resources, according to a social media post by Utah Fire Info.
Throughout the weekend, smoke remained visible from Interstate 15, Interstate 70 and U.S. 89 and the surrounding communities. Fire crews on Sunday "will continue constructing and strengthening direct and indirect firelines while utilizing natural barriers and favorable fuel types which provide the greatest opportunity to work towards containment of the fire both safely and effectively," stated the agency.
Aerial resources have been successful in moderating areas deemed "critical" along the fire perimeter. Parts of the area were open Saturday but the Central Utah Fire Interagency announced an area closure Sunday afternoon "to provide safety for both firefighters and public."
The fire remains within the originally planned burn area but its designation was transitioned to "wildfire" to allow for the use of additional resources and cooperating agencies, fire officials wrote.
"This spring the Beaver Ranger District implemented the burn plan for the South Beaver prescribed fire project, successfully completing 4,724 acres over several weeks," according to fire officials. "The district plans to burn 3,000-5,000 acres each year over the span of several years. Hot, dry, and windy weather resulted in the fire burning beyond the intended limits for this spring."
Contributing: Ashley Fredde, KSL.com
