by Jeff Raisor
Contributing Writer
Concerned citizens of Sevier County gathered on July 16 to listen, ask questions, learn, and support one another as the Great Basin Incident Management Team 3 hosted a community information night.
Over 150 people filled the Sevier County Fairgrounds in Richfield as they listened to professionals speak of efforts over the last couple of days, strategies moving forward, warnings to the public, stats on the fire damage so far, and hope for the future.
Many spoke on different aspects of the fire, such as Mary Cernacheck, Public Information Officer for Great Basin Team 3. She mentioned that there are 389 personnel currently working to fight this fire. Some have traveled from across the state, Wyoming, Nevada, and Idaho.
Gina McQuire, Incident Meteorologist, spoke of the helpful rain showers and thunderstorms that delivered up to .33-inch rainfall in a day. She also spoke of the hopeful prospect of humidity increasing and temperatures going down on Friday and Saturday. This possibility would significantly help those fighting the fire. She mentioned the wind and lightning being threats as well.
“The next couple of days should be a brief reprise for firefighters to try to get a handle on fighting this fire with lower temperatures,” said McQuire.
The priority shared, nationally and locally, is to hopefully gain more resources promptly. The confirmation of 200 more personnel in the next 24 hours, including hand crews, fire engines, and bulldozers, was welcomed.
Sevier County Sheriff Nathan Curtis spoke of the fight over the last two days to save the communications tower on Monroe Peak. He also shared the current goal of saving structures in the area. The Sheriff’s department has been escorting some property owners into their cabins, if safe, to retrieve valuable possessions.
Also, a reminder of the Sheriff’s department’s view on evacuation. “I’m not going to force you to leave your property. If we give you a warning that it’s time to get out, I’m not going to send another person there again to risk their lives because you want to stay,” said Sheriff Curtis.
Bill Taufer, Sevier County Emergency Manager, educated attendees on the notification system they are using called Code Red. He urged all those wanting to be informed to go to the Sevier County website (www.sevier.utah.gov), click on resident, code red, then enter address and information for mass notifications.
With all the acres lost, properties in danger, and long hours ahead, it may seem easy to think of the worst. However, there was a slight theme of hope throughout the meeting as these professionals spoke of everyone involved giving their all to overcome this hard situation. A well-deserved ‘thank you’ was offered with applause from the crowd to all those serving in these firefighting efforts.
Three confirmed structures and one outbuilding have been consumed to this point, with over 8,600 acres burned and 0% containment.
A helpful announcement of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorizing federal funds to help cover the costs of fighting the Monroe Canyon Fire is appreciated.
The next community meeting will be held on Saturday, July 19th at 7 p.m. at the Sevier Valley Center, 800 W 200 S, Richfield. A virtual link will be available here.
photos by Jeff Raisor
