Silver King Fire nears 1,000 acres as officials worry about high winds

The Silver King Fire in south-central Utah reached close to 1,000 acres Saturday morning, according to Marysvale Fire Chief Jon Christensen.

“I was told almost a thousand (acres) this morning, that was from people up the hill. And it was 700 last night,” Christensen said.

The wildfire, which began on Friday, seemed to be spreading rapidly, now encroaching within 4 miles west to the town limits of Marysvale.

No casualties have been reported, but the chief said his main concern right now is the wind.

“We’re hoping the wind hits the fire in the wrong direction and not headed towards Marysvale,” Christensen said.

While houses are safely distanced away from the town limits, the chief emphasized the potential threat the fire would pose to the town’s watershed.

“We would have problems with our water supply,” Christensen said. “So that’s kind of my first concern is that it doesn’t get in there.”

(Marysvale Fire Department via Facebook) The Silver King Fire near Marysvale, Utah is reportedly at nearly 700 acres as of Saturday morning.

A red flag warning has been issued, as dry and windy weather conditions hold high potential to intensify the fire. And the upcoming wind forecast does not bear good news for the town of Marysvale, either.

“The wind is coming from the northwest direction, which is less than ideal,” Sam Webber, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said.

On a flat terrain, the winds would push the fires Southeast and and toward Marysvale. According to the NLS forecast, the winds from the Northwest are expected to persist until at least Sunday, and may start to lighten up by Monday.

“There’s currently one crew and then four engines on it with also miscellaneous overhead deployed at the scene to combat the fire,” said Kylee Stott, a public information officer with Utah Forestry, Fire and State Lands.

Additional crews, engines, and aircraft are soon to join the efforts, she said.

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