South Entrance Fire Called “Out” at Zion National Park

Fire Management Officials shift to damage assessment on the wildfire suppressed near the South Campground Entrance.

SPRINGDALE, UT – Fire Management Officials at Zion National Park declared the South Entrance Fire "out" on March 3, 2021. The human caused wildland fire burned four and a half acres on the afternoon of February 24, 2021. The fire was located near the South Campground and entrance of Zion National Park in Springdale and was one of several human caused fire starts over the past week in Southern Utah. Visitors are reminded that conditions are dry in the low elevations. 

While it is early in the year for wildland fires, conditions were ripe for fire spread on February 24th. Winds were gusting to 20+ miles per hour and the relative humidity was below 10%. This winter has been abnormally dry in the low elevations of Washington and Kane Counties, Utah.  

Fortunately, Zion National Park had conducted a Prescribed Fire in the South Campground on February 11th. This prescribed burn intended to reduce hazardous fuels for the purpose of wildland fire mitigation. The South Entrance wildfire spread into the prescribed fire project area, which slowed the wildfire's progression and aided in suppression efforts. The National Park Service routinely uses mechanical fuels reduction and prescribed fire projects with the intent of protection of visitors, staff, and other values at risk. This is the fifth time in the last three years that a fuels treatment project in Zion Canyon has slowed, or completely stopped a wildland fire. 

The fire is confirmed to be human caused and is currently under investigation.