LEEDS – The 1,708-acre Quail Fire east of Leeds and I-15 that started Saturday afternoon is now 90 percent contained.
About 600 homes went without power for several hours yesterday due to power poles burned. Most of those had power restored by midnight; but utility crews are still working to restore power for a few homes that are still without power today.
Fire behavior has moderated, smoldering and creeping burning is observed. Cheatgrass, mixed brush, and scattered pinyon and juniper trees have fueled this fire. Color Country Interagency fire investigators determined that it was human caused, specifically with the burning of cheatgrass.
The fire has been updated to 1,708 acres thanks to GPS mapping.
The fire required approximately 60 homes to be evacuated yesterday, and saw about 600 homes without power due to power poles burned.
Evacuations were lifted by midnight, with only two structures, which were sheds, destroyed.
Many homes were saved due to defensible space (something residents throughout the Southern Utah region are urged to maintain), effective firefighting tactics and interagency partnerships.
One firefighter was transported to the hospital, treated for a heat-related illness and released last night. No other injuries are identified with this fire.
There are presently no road closures or evacuations in effect.
Today’s updates will be posted directly to this story as they are ascertained, and readers are encouraged to check this story link later this afternoon.
Mori Kessler contributed to this article.
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Copyright 2012 St. George News.