Little Twist Fire Grows By 20 Acres; National Preparedness Level Raised

The Little Twist Fire, located four miles southeast of Beaver, Utah, has grown to 2,550 acres with 25% containment. The fire, burning through steep and rugged terrain, has 295 personnel assigned to manage and control its spread.

Scattered precipitation yesterday has helped to reduce expected fire behavior for today. However, the fire continues to smolder in heavy dead and down fuels, producing residual smoke in the Little Twist drainage area. As weather conditions are forecasted to become hotter and drier over the weekend, there is potential for increased fire activity and smoke.

Firefighters are diligently working on all perimeters, holding and constructing handlines to limit fire movement and increase containment. Despite the challenging conditions, their efforts aim to protect both the public and the environment.

An area closure order remains in effect to ensure the safety of both firefighters and the public. Smoke from the fire will likely be visible for several weeks from surrounding areas, including I-15, I-70, Hwy-89, and Hwy-20.

While the fire poses challenges, nearby recreational areas, including Little Reservoir, Tushar Lakeside, and Kent's Lake Campgrounds, remain open to the public for camping and day-use activities.

On a national level, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) has raised the Preparedness Level to 3 (PL3) as of today, indicating significant wildland fire activity in multiple Geographic Areas. The National Interagency Coordination Center is increasingly coordinating with Geographic Area Coordination Centers to fulfill resource orders. However, the drawdown of resources in non-active areas may pose challenges if fire conditions change.

As the situation evolves, local authorities and the NIFC will continue to monitor and respond to the fire, ensuring the safety of the public and the protection of natural resources.