ST. GEORGE — An evacuation order was issued in Central City Sunday afternoon as a wildfire was reportedly threatening homes. Later in the evening, the order was lifted as crews took control of the blaze.
A human-caused brush and structure fire, started on private land, was reported near 461 E. Central Street at approximately 3:55 p.m. and had grown to about 15 acres as of 7 p.m., according to Utah Fire Info.
Local, state and federal resources were reportedly at the scene, with air assistance dispatched, according to WildCAD-E, a computer-aided dispatch system.
Washington County Sheriff Sgt. Lucas Alfred told St. George News that fire crews are “playing it extra safe right now.”
“We do have helicopters in the air, dropping retardant, water — trying to help control this as quickly as possible,” he said.
At approximately 4:30 p.m., the fire incident commander requested that St. George Consolidated Communications Center issue an emergency alert advising residents to “EVACUATE NOW” as the wildfire was reportedly threatening nearby homes.
“Take emergency essentials and leave immediately,” the alert reads.
The evacuation order covered residences east of Mountain View Drive and north of Center Street, including all those near East Mule Deer Road, Alfred said.
A shelter was set up at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Veyo for those needing assistance.
At approximately 6:40 p.m., Utah Fire Info reported that air resources had stalled the fire’s forward progress, and firefighters were working to secure a perimeter. However, crews are “experiencing high winds.”
The evacuation order was lifted shortly after 7 p.m. as firefighters believed nearby homes were adequately protected, Alfred said. Fire crews had not issued a containment percentage.
“Due to the high winds, they want to play everything safe — make sure everything’s mopped up before they do that,” he added.
Alfred said one firefighter injured their wrist while working the incident, but the severity was unclear. Additionally, one house was compromised, displacing a family for at least the night.
Alfred reminded locals that Southern Utah is under a fire weather watch.
“So be very mindful about what you’re doing,” he said. “People are getting geared up for the Fourth of July and buying fireworks — you can’t be setting those off yet. And right now, all unincorporated areas are under a fire restriction anyway. So you cannot be setting off fireworks.”
Southern Utahns should also avoid dragging chains on their vehicles, as they could light a fire in the dry brush at road edges.
“These can spread very quickly under these windy, hot, dry conditions,” Alfred said.
To learn more about fire restrictions and the upcoming holiday, click here.
The Central Fire Department, Pine Valley Fire Department, Dammeron Valley Fire and Rescue, Diamond Valley Fire Department, Enterprise Fire Department, Brookside Fire Department, Santa Clara-Ivins Fire and Rescue, Hurricane Valley Fire District, the St. George Fire Department, and crews from the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service were among the agencies responding to the fire.
This report is based on statements from records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
This is a developing story.
Updated June 30, 7:04 p.m., to add updated details and photos.
Updated June 30, 7:25 p.m., to add that the evacuation order has been lifted while crews manage the remains of the wildfire.
Photo Gallery
The St. George Consolidated Communications Center issued an evacuation order for Central City, Utah after a wildfire was deemed a threat to homes | Image courtesy of the St. George Consolidated Communications Center, St. George News An evacuation order was issued as the Central Fire threatens homes in Central, Utah, June 30, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Santa Clara-Ivins Fire and Rescue, St. George News An evacuation order was issued as the Central Fire threatens homes in Central, Utah, June 30, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Jessica Tavish Lounsbury, St. George News An evacuation order was issued as the Central Fire threatens homes in Central, Utah, June 30, 2024 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, St. George News An evacuation order was issued as the Central Fire threatens homes in Central, Utah, June 30, 2024 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, St. George News An evacuation order was issued as the Central Fire threatens homes in Central, Utah, June 30, 2024 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, St. George News An evacuation order was issued as the Central Fire threatens homes in Central, Utah, June 30, 2024 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, St. George News An evacuation order was issued as the Central Fire threatens homes in Central, Utah, June 30, 2024 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, St. George News An evacuation order was issued as the Central Fire threatens homes in Central, Utah, June 30, 2024 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, St. George News An evacuation order was issued as the Central Fire threatens homes in Central, Utah, June 30, 2024 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, St. George News An evacuation order was issued as the Central Fire threatens homes in Central, Utah, June 30, 2024 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, St. George News An evacuation order was issued as the Central Fire threatens homes in Central, Utah, June 30, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Utah Fire Info, St. George News An evacuation order was issued as the Central Fire threatens homes in Central, Utah, June 30, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Utah Fire Info, St. George News An evacuation order was issued as the Central Fire threatens homes in Central, Utah, June 30, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Utah Fire Info, St. George News An evacuation order was issued as the Central Fire threatens homes in Central, Utah, June 30, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Utah Fire Info, St. George News
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