FIRE WATCH: What the Red Canyon Evacuation Near Panguitch Means for Campers

TL;DR: Search and rescue evacuated more than a dozen residents and campers from the Red Canyon area near Panguitch after a new fire start Sunday at about 5:41 p.m., with fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters providing air support while officials reported no size or containment estimate.

Sunday Evening Start Reported Near Panguitch

A new fire start prompted evacuations for residents and campers in the Red Canyon area near Panguitch on Sunday, according to ABC4.

According to Utah Forestry, Fire, and State Lands, as reported by ABC4 in "Evacuations in place due to Christy Lane Fire burning near ...", the fire started at approximately 5:41 p.m. on Sunday.

ABC4 reported there was no estimate yet of the fire's size or containment at the time of that initial evacuation report.

Search and rescue was conducting evacuations for more than a dozen residents and campers in the area, according to ABC4.

Officials confirmed that both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters were on scene, providing air support to extinguish the flames, according to ABC4.

ABC4 described the report as a developing story and said it would update the post as more information became available.

Second Description: Christy Lane Fire Between Parowan and Summit

A related evacuation was reported Sunday evening for the Red Canyon subdivision southwest of Parowan, according to Gephardt Daily.

In "BREAKING: Residents evacuated as Christy Lane Fire burns near Parowan," Gephardt Daily reported that residents in the Red Canyon subdivision southwest of Parowan were evacuated Sunday night as firefighters battled the Christy Lane Fire burning near Summit in Iron County.

According to Utah Fire Info, as reported by Gephardt Daily, the fire was first reported at approximately 5:46 p.m. southwest of Parowan near Summit.

Officials said the blaze was initially estimated at 15 acres, was human-caused, and remains under investigation, according to Gephardt Daily.

Firefighters, including aviation resources, responded to the scene as structures were reported threatened, according to Gephardt Daily.

In an update issued Sunday night, Utah Fire Info said the Iron County Sheriff's Office ordered evacuations for the Red Canyon subdivision, according to Gephardt Daily.

Where Evacuees Were Directed

Evacuees from the Red Canyon subdivision were directed to Cedar City High School, according to Gephardt Daily.

KUTV also reported the evacuation in "Red Canyon subdivision evacuated as wildfire threatens structures near Summit."

KUTV reported that the Iron County Sheriff's Office evacuated the Red Canyon subdivision after the Christy Lane Fire threatened structures.

KUTV reported that the fire started at 5:46 p.m. near Summit in Iron County, according to Utah Fire Info.

Officials estimated the fire at 15 acres and said it was human-caused, according to KUTV.

First responders asked people to avoid the area, according to KUTV.

FOX 13 also reported the evacuation and shelter location in "Wildfire evacuations lifted in Iron County."

FOX 13 reported that the "Christy Lane Fire" was sparked around 5:45 p.m. on Sunday in an area between Parowan and Summit in Iron County.

Utah Wildfire Info officials said it was estimated at 15 acres, according to FOX 13.

Officials said the fire was threatening structures, and the Red Canyon subdivision was evacuated by the Iron County Sheriff's Office, according to FOX 13.

Evacuees could go to Cedar City High School, according to FOX 13.

Burning Location and Bryce Canyon Access

"The fire is currently burning in the Parowan Wildlife Management Area," Utah Fire Info stated, as reported by Gephardt Daily.

Gephardt Daily reported that Utah Fire Info urged the public to avoid the area and follow directions from local officials so firefighters could continue protection efforts safely.

Officials also clarified the fire is near Parowan and not near Red Canyon along Highway 12, according to Gephardt Daily.

"There are no impacts to Bryce Canyon access," the agency said, as reported by Gephardt Daily.

A later update from Utah Fire Info said fire activity had decreased Sunday evening, but crews planned to continue working overnight to secure the perimeter and monitor conditions, according to Gephardt Daily.

Gephardt Daily reported that no injuries or structure losses had been reported as of Sunday night.

Gephardt Daily described the incident as a developing story and said additional updates would be published as information became available.

Evacuations Lifted Sunday Night

The evacuations were lifted Sunday night, according to FOX 13.

Officials said the fire was 97% contained, according to FOX 13.

FOX 13 reported that the fire was human-caused, and the exact cause was under investigation.

Firefighting crews were working on the ground and in the air to contain the blaze, according to FOX 13.

"Please avoid the area and follow directions from local officials so firefighters can safely continue protection efforts," Utah Wildfire Info said in a social media post, as reported by FOX 13.

St. George Utah also reported the lifted order in "UPDATED: Evacuation order lifted after fire in Iron County threatens structures."

St. George Utah reported that a fast-moving brush fire was reported near Summit in the Parowan Front Wildlife Management Area on Sunday evening, prompting an evacuation.

According to information posted at 8:38 a.m. on Monday by Utah Fire Info, as reported by St. George Utah, the evacuation order had since been lifted.

"Federal, state, and local fire personnel worked together yesterday and last night to make great progress securing the fire perimeter and an est. 97% containment line around the fire," the post reads, as reported by St. George Utah.

"No structures were lost and evacuations were lifted last night. 39.7 acres mapped," the post reads, as reported by St. George Utah.

Who Responded on the Ground and in the Air

Responders included various federal, state and local agencies, such as the Cedar City Hotshots, the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, the U.S. Forest Service, the Iron County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff's Office volunteers, Gold Cross Ambulance, Utah Highway Patrol and Brian Head Marshals, according to St. George Utah.

In a separate KUTV update titled "Evacuations lifted for Iron County subdivision near Christy Lane wildfire," community wildfire preparedness coordinator Cassie Meredith described a joint response.

"Last night we had the BLM, DNR, Parowan, Paraguna, Bryan Head Fire, Cedar City Fire, Canara Fire even came up to help, and the volunteer Search and Rescue and Iron County Sheriff's Office," Meredith said, as reported by KUTV.

"It was a big joint effort, and everyone worked together really well," Meredith said, as reported by KUTV.

KUTV reported that Meredith said air assets and an on-scene helicopter were used to drop water and fire retardant.

KUTV reported that several structures and trailers were reportedly threatened by the flames, but Utah Fire Info confirmed that no structures were lost.

What Campers Should Do When Evacuation Hits

Leave early when search and rescue, sheriff's deputies, or fire officials order an evacuation, and go to the designated shelter location.

In this incident, the designated location for Red Canyon subdivision evacuees was Cedar City High School, according to Gephardt Daily and FOX 13.

Avoid the fire area and follow directions from local officials so firefighters can safely continue protection efforts, according to Utah Fire Info as reported by Gephardt Daily and FOX 13.

Keep camp access roads clear for engines, water tenders, ambulances, and aircraft support operations.

Account for every person in your group before leaving a dispersed camp or developed campground, because initial reports involved more than a dozen residents and campers, according to ABC4.

Take identification, medications, water, and communication devices if they are immediately available and leaving does not delay evacuation.

How Emergency Alerts Reached Residents and Visitors

Meredith encouraged people to sign up for Reverse 911 alerts on their county's emergency management page, according to KUTV.

She said the county's Everbridge system and Reverse 911 were crucial in notifying both residents and visitors, according to KUTV.

Residents said they were also alerted by officials door-knocking, according to KUTV.

"Through the Everbridge system, you can geo-fence an area, and any cell phone that pings on towers within that area is alerted regardless of whether they have signed up for alerts or if they're a resident of Iron County or not," Meredith said, as reported by KUTV.

"As far as I know, everyone was successfully alerted with the reverse 911," Meredith said, as reported by KUTV.

For backcountry travelers, that means do not rely only on prior registration; keep a charged phone powered on when towers are reachable.

Check your county emergency management page before a trip to learn how local Reverse 911 and Everbridge alerts are issued.

Readiness Lessons for Red Rock Country

Meredith said the season timing was notable, as reported by KUTV in "Evacuations lifted for Iron County subdivision near Christy Lane wildfire."

"This year, this is very early for wildfires to start, and we've already seen several throughout the state, and it's only May. We've had a dry winter, and so resources would be a concern," Meredith said, as reported by KUTV.

"In this general area, in southern Utah, in Utah in general, I would just say be very aware of your surroundings and be careful," Meredith said, as reported by KUTV.

"Take it into consideration when fire officials are telling you to be careful. They are very aware of the conditions on the ground and are giving you good information to help keep you safe," Meredith said, as reported by KUTV.

While firefighters determined the fire was human-caused, the fire remained under investigation, according to KUTV.

The public was advised to avoid the area of the fire and to follow the directions from local officials so crews could safely continue firefighting efforts, according to KUTV.

Sources referenced