Presently there are DC-10's, MD-87's, CL-415's (scoopers), AT-802's (SEATs: single engine air tankers), and numerous helicopters supporting the ground effort. It's drawn resources off a number of other locations. They're taking it seriously.

https://www.fox13now.com/news/...-parleys-canyon-fire

Investigators confirmed to FOX 13 they have recovered pieces of catalytic converter from the ignition sources of the Parleys Canyon Fire.

The pieces were collected as evidence as authorities continued to search for the vehicle believed to be responsible.

“It was a catalytic converter that sparked a few separate fires along I-80 that eventually grew together to the main portion of the fire,” said Sierra Hellstrom, a spokesperson for the Northern Utah Interagency Fire Management Team.

Witnesses provided fire investigators with a vehicle description, Hellstrom said. The Utah Highway Patrol is assisting with locating it.

The Parleys Canyon Fire has torched hundreds of acres and forced the evacuation of thousands.

Faulty and failing catalytic converters can be a regular cause of wildfires. Pieces eject out of the exhaust at temperatures up to 1,500 degrees and can spark a fire on dry grasses.

“There are numerous fires every year where catalytic converter pieces are ejected out of the exhaust system along the side of the road. The vehicle even doing it might not even notice it at times,” said Jason Curry with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands.

It can be prevented with regular vehicle maintenance.

“Make sure that you have a muffler, a catalytic converter in proper working order. Make sure you have brakes that are properly maintained,” Curry said.

In 2018, the Utah State Legislature removed the requirement for most vehicles to have regular safety inspections. Emissions inspections are still required.

If the person responsible is found, there is the potential for them to be liable. The state has gotten more aggressive recently about recovering wildfire costs, even in cases of negligence.

This particular wildfire could cost millions.

“A lot of it will depend on us first finding the person and the cooperation after that,” Hellstrom told FOX 13.

With Utah’s ongoing drought emergency and extremely high fire danger, Curry said it was important for people to be cautious.

“Utahns have been using great fire sense. And we encourage more of it. We can’t afford to have more fires like this because resources are spread really thin,” he said.

I hope all is well and you’re back home, praying for you buddy. Nice looking deck btw.

quote:

It can be prevented with regular vehicle maintenance.

Perhaps a dumb question. I don't think I've ever had any checks or maintenance on any vehicle related to the CC. I don't think I've ever had a issue with with a CC either.

Unless they do something during smog checks.

What maintenance is suggested here?

Don't run without a muffler for one

Hello!

Grew up in Hoytville! Have friends in Summit county today. Scary stuff. Positive vibes your way!

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by sdy:
It can be prevented with regular vehicle maintenance.

It could also be prevented by not requiring the damned things to begin with.

As of two hours ago.

I think inciweb is a little behind on their updates.

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7802/

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

Originally posted by sdy:
It can be prevented with regular vehicle maintenance.

It could also be prevented by not requiring the damned things to begin with.

Bingo!!

We still have automotive emissions checks on a yearly basis even though they've shown that they are no longer necessary here. But at $9 at a pop for an ever increasing population, it's very hard for the idiot politicians to kill an obvious cash cow...

Please stay safe, Alan!

Just got back from a weekend camping trip along the CA North Coast and disconnected entirely. We've got 3 more months to this fire season out West, and everyone is on pins & needles, hang-in there Balze Halze.

Balze Halze,

Stay safe and I pray this fire will be contained soon.

Our area is bone dry too and in the years since I moved here in 1994 we've had a couple of bad scares.

2002 with the Battle Creek Fire in Rockerville just a few miles south of us and in 2012 with the Dakota Point Sheridan Lake Fire, again just a few miles away from our house.

Seeing heavy smoke and flames so close is unnerving to say the least.

Man that sucks. I hope it misses you guys.

Mandatory fire evaluations are no fun at all.

easiest way we found to move stuff,lay a blanket on the floor,put stuff on it and drag or if help available lift into the vehicle. alot easier than multiple trips in and out.

Prayers and good thoughts sent your way Balze.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weat...ire-risks/ar-AANni8J

At least rain is expected in the next few days, and then our temps are expected to be below normal for the rest of the week. Let’s hope this system brings in a few good rain showers with low winds.

Utah 2021. Severest drought on record while your house is under water due to flooding, but you don’t know it because you’ve been evacuated due to fire. Quite the year.

Blazé, let us know if you need a place to stay.

quote:

Originally posted by sdy:

What, are we using VLATs for mop-up now?

@UtahWildfire
Better mapping has the #ParleysCanyonFire at 539 acres, still 10% contained. Great Basin Team #4 assumed command and is continually evaluating closures and evacuations. Read the full update, finds maps, additional photos, and more

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7802

Hoping the evacuation order is lifted by tomorrow morning. I snuck back home for a few items "just in case," but the sense of apprehension i had at the beginning of this thing has passed. Now I feel like I'm just waiting for the all clear to go back home. Well, without the checkpoints that is.

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:

What, are we using VLATs for mop-up now?

No, but what can you tell about the tactic in use from that picture?

Nothing. Context.

What's it tying into, where the the line running, what's it connecting, what fuels and terrain lay behind the photographeror on the other side of the ridge, what's the aspect, and where is the fire?

None of that is evident in the picture.

That said, it's a big mistake to think smoldering ground is out or doesn't pose a threat. It can spot miles away, or re-burn (killed 13 smoke jumpers at South Canyon with a re-ignition in a burned area, in gamble oak).

Most likely the picture is a tie-in fron the opposite side of that ridge, connecting to the burn you see in the foreground, and using the retardant line, and the burn as barriers to fire spread, especially given that most of the smoke in that picture is on the opposite side of the ridge.

Best of luck to you Balze. We got evacuated due to the Alpine fire a few years ago. Interesting to take a look around your house and go “what do I REALLY care about?”

Wedding photo albums, some heirloom guns, and handwritten journals were pretty much all we took with us.