This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post with more information as it becomes available.
Live updates:
Update from Washington County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook:
10:18 a.m.: “We know many who have property in Pine Valley are concerned about their homes. If you have a home in the Mountain View/ Meadow View subdivision area, you can call into dispatch’s non-emergency line at 435-634-5730 and leave your contact information (name, phone number, and property address) and we will get a Deputy to call you and let you know if your home was lost to the fire.”
Original Story
PINE VALLEY, Utah (ABC4) — The Forsyth Fire that forced mandatory evacuations for the Pine Valley area of Washington County has now destroyed seventeen homes, Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby confirmed Saturday morning.
175 firefighters, along with both hot shot crew, hand crews, command staff, law enforcement, and even state and federal partners were all present this morning’s briefing, per a post from Washington County Emergency Services. “(They) are working diligently to ensure the safety and protection of Pine Valley.”
The fire started burning Thursday evening near Pine Valley, about 20 miles northwest of St. George. As of Friday night, it had burned over 1,500 acres and was 0% contained.
Sheriff Brooksby said he spent most of the day in Pine Valley Friday. He says despite hundreds of first responders keeping the town safe, quickly changing winds caused the fire to destroy seventeen homes.
In a Facebook post he said, “The firefighters were shocked. They had busted their butts for two days with, maybe two hours of sleep to protect the community. They lost structures. That is the worst of the worst in their world. I could see it in their eyes. They gave it all they had and still lost to mother nature. I appreciate their efforts and will support them with everything we have until the firestorm is calm.”
Brandon Hunt State Farm in St. George and Hurricane Fire Station 42 are collecting food and water donations to deliver to the first responders fighting the fire.
