A scenic route through Zion National Park and several trails are closed off due to a wildfire burning inside the park.
The Kanarraville Fire has grown to 16 acres in the Kolob Canyons as of Monday, said park spokesperson Matthew Fink. The park has closed a section of the Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive, as well as trails such as Hop Valley and Lee Pass.
Firefighters from the National Park Service and other agencies have been tackling the blaze since it was first reported to park staff around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. The fire is 50% contained, and the park anticipates reaching 100% containment by Tuesday, according to Fink.
While fires have been spreading quickly across Utah this summer, Fink said “conditions were on our side this time.”
The Kolob Canyons Visitor Center and bookstore remain open, as well as the Kolob Terrace Road.
The park suspects a dry lightning strike as the cause of the fire, Fink told The Tribune.
“The Deer Creek and Monroe Canyon Fires show how quickly fire behavior can turn extreme in Utah right now,” said Brett Ostler, fire management officer with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands, in a statement on the restrictions in July. “With fuels drying out more each day and no relief in sight, our landscapes are becoming increasingly at risk for large wildfires.”
Zion National Park and surrounding areas are currently under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. Campfires are prohibited throughout the park, including Watchman Campground.
Visitors to the park can turn to the Utah Fire Sense and Utah Fire Info websites to learn more about how they can prevent wildfires, Fink said. The park will also post updates about the fire.