Sheriff warns public to stay out of Rocky Canyon Fire scar

A fire crew member continues to target hotspots in the Rocky Canyon Fire burn area. Photo: Utah Fire Info

Officials are asking the public to stay out of all closed roads and the fire scar while suppression work continues.

MORGAN COUNTY, Utah — Authorities are warning residents and visitors to stay out of closed areas surrounding the Rocky Canyon Fire, saying significant heat and dangerous conditions remain despite growing containment.

The fire was estimated at 15,366 acres and 25% contained Tuesday night, according to Utah Fire Info. Crews established containment along the southern perimeter near East Canyon Reservoir as higher humidity, cloud cover and lighter winds helped moderate fire behavior.

But officials stressed Wednesday morning that containment does not mean the fire is out.

“Just because an edge is cooled and contained doesn’t mean the fire is out,” Utah Fire Info said in sharing a warning from the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office. “There’s still a great deal of heat in this fire that’s not always visible.”

Residents previously evacuated along state Route 66 have been allowed to return to their homes, but the Sheriff’s Office warned them not to travel south beyond their residences. Officials said hot spots could flare up or reignite, and firefighters are continuing to work throughout the area.

SR-66 remains closed through the fire area. UDOT currently lists the highway as closed in both directions from mileposts 0 to 10. SR-65 is also closed in both directions from mileposts 19 to 26.

Utah Fire Info said Tuesday that residents along SR-66 could pass the closure to reach their homes but could not continue beyond them. Nonresidents are not allowed past the closure. Officials cited active fire and falling and rolling rocks among the hazards along the route.

The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office said people have been entering the restricted area to sightsee or explore the fire scar, forcing firefighters to divert attention from suppression work.

The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the burned area is not open for hiking or sightseeing and that motorists cannot travel through the closure to East Canyon Reservoir.

Fire activity also remains a concern above Henefer. Utah Fire Info reported Tuesday night that the fire had grown in heavy timber along cliffs above the community, where steep terrain made access dangerous for ground crews. Aircraft were being used while fire managers evaluated ways to place crews on higher ground.

Officials reported no measurable growth Tuesday night on the southeastern side of the fire. Firefighters remained positioned around Henefer and Morgan to watch for spot fires and protect structures.

The latest numbers mark an increase from Tuesday morning, when TownLift reported the fire at 13,601 acres and 23% containment. At that time, containment had been established along the SR-66 corridor toward Morgan while firefighters continued working the eastern side of the fire near Henefer.

The Rocky Canyon Fire has prompted evacuations and road closures in Morgan and Summit counties since it began Aug. 7 near East Canyon Reservoir.