Font ResizeA wildfire allowed to burn near Panguitch Lake in order to thin vegetation and prevent future fires has instead erupted into a full-blown 1,100-acre blaze.
The lightning-caused Horse Valley fire has burned 630 additional acres east of the Right Fork of Haycock Creek, stated a release issued by Dixie National Forest spokesman Andi Falsetto.
The original fire began July 2 in Myers Valley, three miles north of Panguitch Lake. Crews had been managing the blaze to thin vegetation in the area, but strong, erratic winds on Thursday pushed the fire to the north and out of control.
Four engines, three aircraft, hand crews and hotshot crews were fighting the blaze.
The northern fire has burned onto private property where an outbuilding was threatened Friday night, but no injuries or property damage were reported, Falsetto said.
The southern portion of the fire, which has burned 470 acres, continues to be managed as it burns aspen, mixed conifers and sagebrush.
All areas and roads east of the Horse Valley Road near the fire are closed to the public.
