KZMU News

Today on the news, fire information officer Nick Howell gives us a tour of the ‘mini-city’ at the Old Spanish Trail Arena. As firefighters continue making gains on the Pack Creek Fire’s containment, Howell and the rest of the Great Basin Team #4 are preparing to hand over leadership to local agencies at the end of the week. The team reports that this fire could have been much worse without the mitigation efforts of local fire fuels management.

Show Notes:

Photo: Fire information officer Nick Howell from Great Basin Team #4 stands in front of the supply tent at the Old Spanish Trail Arena. Howell has been providing daily updates on the progression and response to the Pack Creek Fire.

Great Basin Team #4: Fuels Treatments Ease Fire Behavior in Pack Creek

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/8c47d93f4ee94a0d878e866e6495e418

Pack Creek Fire Information

https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=c47831feb81d4aed940fcd234fc929cd

and

https://www.kzmu.org/pack-creek-fire-updates/

In the early days of the Pack Creek Fire, Moab community members wrote ‘elegies’ to the La Sal Mountains across their social media platforms, expressing their connection to the local alpine landscape and how it feels to watch it burn. Some of these words are now collected into a small ‘chapbook’ put together by the staff at Back of Beyond Books. Today on the news, we speak to a wildfire social scientist on the concept of ‘solastalgia,’ a term that describes the emotional distress caused from environmental change. Plus, our partners at Aspen Public Radio interview a team as they make a burned area near Glenwood Springs accessible to recreation and help keep nearby waterways from filling with ash.

Show Notes:

Photo: A small ‘chapbook’ of elegies related to the Pack Creek Fire was put together by the staff at Back of Beyond Books.

La Sal Mountain Elegies: Pack Creek Fire, June 2021

http://www.backofbeyondbooks.com/pdfs/LaSalMountainElegies61821.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3ysbA9dBExolR9o3UzvKjVQ1HZHWepWgA6v0CtP-FGw6VXoeu2-OfUDCQ

La Sal Mountain Elegies Community Gathering: June 21, 2021

https://www.facebook.com/moabbooks/videos/1199078610554646

Aspen Public Radio: The West Is Still Recovering From The 2020 Wildfire Season While Preparing For The Next

https://www.aspenpublicradio.org/2021-06-15/the-west-is-still-recovering-from-the-2020-wildfire-season-while-preparing-for-the-next

Resources from the Pack Creek fire responded to a new wildfire start yesterday – the Sego Fire near Thompson Springs. We hear the latest on the response and get an update about the Pack Creek Fire from the local fire information officer. Plus, as the Four Corners region experiences wildfires this season, our partners at KSJD report on ways to mitigate negative health effects from smoke.

Show Notes:

Photo: Pack Creek Firefighters, US Forest Service – Manti-La Sal National Forest

Pack Creek Fire Info

https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=c47831feb81d4aed940fcd234fc929cd

and

https://www.kzmu.org/pack-creek-fire-updates/

US Wildfire reports

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=2ff1677111ae4018ac705fcce7c3312f

US Drought Monitor

https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu

Favorable weather helped firefighters make gains on containment of the Pack Creek Fire on Thursday. Although the blaze is now 36 percent contained, there’s still a lot more work to do. As fire information officer Nick Howell says, the crew has now entered what they call 'the grind' of suppression work.

Plus, our Weekly News Reel where we chat with local reporters about their latest stories. Carter Pape at The Times-Independent (7:00) discusses the early days of the Pack Creek Fire, as well as the conclusion of a series on housing and workforce shortages. Maggie McGuire at the Moab Sun News (20:00) discusses their approach to Pack Creek Fire coverage in a conversation about the role of local media in ongoing emergencies.

Show Notes:

Photo: Pack Creek Fire, Utah Fire Info

Pack Creek Fire Info

https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=c47831feb81d4aed940fcd234fc929cd

and

https://www.kzmu.org/pack-creek-fire-updates/

Investigators are still seeking leads that may help identify those responsible for the fire’s start. Anyone who may have information about the start of the Pack Creek Fire can call the tip line at 775-355-5337.

Weekly News Reel Mentions –

The Times-Independent: ‘Success and struggles’

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/success-and-struggles/

The Times-Independent: Pack Creek Fire remains under 8,500 acres as of Tuesday; 16% containment

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/pack-creek-fire-live-updates/

The Times-Independent: Officials say Moab needs leadership on housing

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/officials-say-moab-needs-leadership-on-housing/

The Times-Independent: Housing – Is Moab reaping what it sowed?

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/housing-is-moab-reaping-what-it-sowed/

Moab Sun News: Intense and complex – a firefighter’s view of day one of the Pack Creek Fire

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_f15d6306-cf8a-11eb-ad55-8312164fb0e5.html

Moab Sun News: Pack Creek Fire expected to burn for weeks – Wildfire has burned over 8,000 acres, cost over $3.5 million

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_f06e6c5c-cf84-11eb-99fa-ebb4867e4e69.html

Moab Sun News: Pack Creek fire breaks through Geyser Pass Road; new evacuations ordered

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_57f0d318-ccb7-11eb-9087-17bf5d3e3ba5.html

Many community members have expressed a feeling of helplessness as they watch the La Sal mountains burn. Today on the news, we speak to a local with extensive experience in fire mitigation, who has several ideas on how to counter that feeling. They include reaching out to neighbors, volunteering, and showing support to firefighters. Plus, our daily conversation with the Pack Creek Fire’s information officer. The over 500-person crew has brought containment to 30 percent as of this morning.

Show Notes:

Photo: Pack Creek Fire. Utah Fire Info/Dave McMahan

Pack Creek Fire Info

https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=c47831feb81d4aed940fcd234fc929cd

and

https://www.kzmu.org/pack-creek-fire-updates/

Investigators are still seeking leads that may help identify those responsible for the fire’s start. Anyone who may have information about the start of the Pack Creek Fire can call the tip line at 775-355-5337.

Rim to Rim Restoration

https://www.revegetation.org

Team leaders working on the Pack Creek Fire spoke last night in a virtual meeting on its progression and response to suppression efforts. The fire is roughly 8,500 acres in the La Sal Mountains and 26 percent contained. Incident commanders said the steep and rugged terrain presents a series of challenges, especially combined with volatile fuel conditions brought on by persistent drought. Plus, we get the latest information on wildfire stats across the state of Utah.

Show Notes:

Photo: June 13th Air Attack, Mike Melton

Link to June 15th Presentation:

http://bit.ly/packcreek

(Tip: Click on ‘Watch on web’ and then ‘Join anonymously’)

Pack Creek Fire Info

https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=c47831feb81d4aed940fcd234fc929cd

and

https://www.kzmu.org/pack-creek-fire-updates/

Investigators are still seeking leads that may help identify those responsible for the fire’s start. Anyone who may have information about the start of the Pack Creek Fire can call the tip line at 775-355-5337.

Utah Wildfire: Wildfire Wednesday Video for June 16th

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skzYHFm7c6c

The Manti-La Sal National Forest enters Stage 1 fire restrictions on Friday, as staff cite record dry conditions and extreme fire danger. There are new restrictions on building a fire, discharging fireworks, and smoking near vegetation. Plus, our daily update with fire information officer Nick Howell on the Pack Creek Fire’s progression and firefighting efforts. And, high severity mountain fires are known to impact watersheds. We get some thoughts from a USU hydrologist and geomorphologist on forest fires and climate change.

Show Notes:

Photo: Retardant Drop at upper Pack Creek on June 13th, Utah Fire Info

Manti-La Sal National Forest Entering Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/6.13.2021_MLS-fire-restrictions_press-release.docx

Utah Fire Info

https://utahfireinfo.gov

Pack Creek Fire Updates

https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=c47831feb81d4aed940fcd234fc929cd

and

https://www.kzmu.org/pack-creek-fire-updates/

The Manti-La Sal National Forest and the Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team #4 will host a virtual presentation on Tuesday, June 15th from 7PM to 8PM on the Pack Creek Fire.

Link to attend: http://bit.ly/packcreek

In advance of the event, community members may submit questions by visiting: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfwBQ1mFkZCWRW10dgoBGEksbgSPNj90BxjvGQteeDN1UyrtQ/viewform

Investigators are still seeking leads that may help identify those responsible for the fire’s start. Anyone who may have information about the start of the Pack Creek Fire can call the tip line at 775-355-5337.

Moab’s Watershed: River Simulator/Far Country

http://www.riversimulator.org/Resources/farcountry/Graphics/MoabAreaWatershedGraphic.jpg

With fuel moisture at record lows and temperatures at record highs, personnel working on the Pack Creek Fire say the public should prepare for a long fire fight. Today on the news, we get an update from Great Basin fire information officer Nick Howell. Says Howell, “I’ve been in this business for 21 years, we’re definitely at record levels for fire danger – it’s really kind of a scary time for Utah and the West in general.” Plus, an interview from reporter Ashley Bunton on the impacts of the Pack Creek Fire on locals.

Show Notes:

Photo: Pack Creek Fire. Daniel Lay, Manti-La Sal National Forest Hydrologist

Pack Creek Fire Updates

https://www.kzmu.org/pack-creek-fire-updates/

Forest Service investigators are continuing to explore leads that may help identify those responsible for the start of the Pack Creek Fire. They have set up a tip line for anyone who may have information: 775-355-5337. The fire started on Wednesday, June 9th.

U.S. Forest Service-Manti La Sal National Forest June 13th Video

https://www.facebook.com/mantilasalnationalforest/videos/850817632194666/

Utah Statewide Wellbeing Survey Report, June 2021

https://extension.usu.edu/business-and-community/utah-wellbeing-project/reports/statewide-wellbeing-survey-report-may-2021

As of this morning, crews are estimating the Pack Creek Fire has grown to nearly 5,000 acres in the Manti-La Sal National Forest near Moab. Containment right now is at 0 percent. The fire started on Wednesday, ignited by an unattended campfire. We had the opportunity to speak with Pack Creek area resident Jeff Gutierrez this morning, who is currently evacuated and watching the blaze from a nearby mobile command center with other local residents.

For more information on the Pack Creek Fire and others throughout the state, visit utahfireinfo.gov.

Photo: Pack Creek Fire/US Forest Service

Listener, KZMU News is still on summer break this week. We return mid-June with our fresh, grassroots, community powered journalism. So this week we’re spotlighting some of the great public affairs shows produced and created locally at your community radio station.

Here at KZMU, Mondays from 4PM to 6PM are the place for conversation. If a public affairs show is on hiatus – like Thought for Food or The Brainstorm – we often feature special programming in those time slots. Sometimes we feature shows from our partners at the public radio exchange, and sometimes from local producers. We recently aired an hour long special in collaboration with the Storied Self. In addition to airing some live stories from their events, hosts Josie Kovash and Celia Alario discussed how the pandemic has shifted the tales we tell ourselves – and each other.

Listen for special programming every Monday from 4PM to 6PM

Find the Storied Self Specials here:

https://www.kzmu.org/storied-self-2020-look-back-special/

and on the podcast:

https://soundcloud.com/user-921179167/storied-self-2020-look-back-special