UPDATE: firefighters gain upper hand in rough canyon fire

Photo courtesy of Utah Fire Info

UPDATE June 30, 2018  •  Nelson Phillips  •   Staff Writer 

The Rough Canyon Fire is holding at approximately 5,421 acres, and is being called 80 percent contained as of Friday night.

"Today firefighters contained the perimeter of the fire," wrote Leann Fox, public information officer for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, in a press release. "Crews mopped up and strengthened the fire line. They will continue to do so tomorrow."

Fox stated that the fire was now "creeping and smoldering," and that no further growth was expected.

On Saturday, one helicopter and three ground crews are expected to be released from the firefighting effort.


​UPDATE June 29, 2018  •  Nelson Phillips  •   Staff Writer 

The Rough Canyon Fire, burning in northern Box Elder County since Wednesday, has grown to 5,421 acres, and is 15 percent contained as of Friday morning.

According to Leann Fox, public information officer for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands,  crews were able to establish a perimeter around the fire on Thursday, but the fire jumped over a fire-break and threatened two homes.

"The fire jumped the Portage Canyon Road on the north side and threatened two occupied structures. Air and ground resources saved the two structures," wrote Fox in a press release.

Fox reported that two single engine air tankers and two helicopters are currently deployed, along with four water tenders, 10 fire engines, five hand-crews, and approximately 200 fire personnel.

Planned actions for Friday will be to attack the west side of the fire, along with Portage, Broad and Rough canyons.
​

June 28, 2018  •   Nelson Phillips  •   Staff Writer 

​A wildfire burning near the town of Portage that began Wednesday afternoon has grown to more than 3,144 acres.

The Rough Canyon fire is now located approximately two and a half miles south/southwest of Portage. Multiple agencies have responded, including crews from Fielding, Garland, Plymouth, Portage, Tremonton, Box Elder County, the U.S. Forest Service and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.  Assets being used against the fire include four single-engine air tankers, two helicopters, 10  engines, four water tenders, three bulldozers and a road grader.

Currently there are an estimated 100 firefighters fighting the blaze, as well as dozens of support personnel, all staging at the town park in Portage.

According to a press release Thursday morning from the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, crews were able to establish bulldozer lines across the eastern edge of the fire yesterday, and today are concentrating on establishing those lines to the west, north and south, with the intent of keeping the fire north of Broad Canyon and south of Portage Canyon.

Plans to protect structures in the town of Portage, along with three cabins in the outlying area, have been implemented.

Fire officials released yesterday that they believe the fire was human-caused, but have not yet released the actual cause.

Donations of pre-packaged food and sealed beverages for the firefighters are welcome, and can be taken to the Portage town park.