A burn area emergency response team recently finished their assessment of the Deer Creek Fire, which reached full containment on August 11 after burning more than 17,000 acres in the La Sal Mountains. The team evaluated the burn scar's flood risk, which they say is less severe than the aftermath of the Pack Creek Fire, which contributed to two major floods in Moab in 2022.

- Show Notes -

• U.S. Forest Service Fire Closure Area Deer Creek

https://inciweb-prod-media-bucket.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2025-08/Deer-Creek-FOURTH-Forest-Closure-SIGNED-04-10-25-04-04.pdf?VersionId=.SBLbsGQuiPd56.c1Vb2oPcWaaveT5m9

Photo: Close to 600 firefighters were called in to work on the Deer Creek Fire in the La Sal Mountains this summer. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service.

This week on the Regional Roundup, we hear a story about a herd of goats that are managing fire fuels in Colorado by grazing weeds. We also hear about the history of Lincoln Hills, a once-thriving resort for African Americans just outside of Denver. Plus, we share an excerpt from our recent regional call-in show on public lands, and we hear a conversation about how climate change is impacting tick populations in the Mountain West.

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Doug McMurdo, editor of the Times-Independent, about possible sales tax increases in Grand County to cover the costs of local health services and a new public safety building. We also discuss the effects of funding cuts for a Moab program that helps immigrants become citizens. And we finish up with a story about a downtrend in tourism this year and the impact it’s having on local restaurants.

- Show Notes -

• Grand County weighs sales tax to fund public safety building

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-county-weighs-sales-tax-to-fund-public-safety-building/

• Grand County to ask voters for sales tax hike on healthcare

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-county-weighs-sales-tax-to-fund-public-safety-building/

• Feds pull funding that helps legal immigrants gain citizenship

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/feds-pull-funding-that-helps-legal-immigrants-gain-citizenship/

• Moab restaurants see decline in international visitation and spending

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-restaurants-see-decline-in-international-visitation-and-spending/

This week on the Regional Roundup, we hear about a commemoration of the 140th anniversary of the massacre of Chinese workers in Rock Springs, Wyoming. We also hear about a rural Colorado gymkhana event, where riders of all ages show off their horseback riding skills. Plus, stories about woodland birdsongs near Boulder, a bustling farmer's market in Paonia, Colorado, and an interview with the author of Food Fight: Misguided Policies, Supply Challenges, and the Impending Struggle to Feed a Hungry World.

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times Independent, about federal cuts to Medicaid and how these could affect services at Moab Regional Hospital. Plus, we talk about the recent filming of “Godzilla x Kong: Supernova,” which brought in an estimated $3.9 million for the local economy in 10 days of filming.

- Show Notes -

• SE Utah hospitals brace for long term impact of Medicaid cuts

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/se-utah-hospitals-brace-for-long-term-impact-of-medicaid-cuts/

• Blockbuster ‘Godzilla x Kong: Supernova’ wraps up filming in Moab

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/blockbuster-godzilla-x-kong-supernova-wraps-up-filming-in-moab/

This week on the Regional Roundup, we hear about efforts to map extreme heat in Moab, Utah. We also have a story about the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies and the work the organization is doing to protect bird species across the region. Plus, we visit the Montrose County Fair to meet 4H students as they showcase their animals. And we finish off with an interview with investigative journalist Will Potter discussing his latest book, Little Red Barns: Hiding the Truth from Farm to Fable.

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Doug McMurdo, editor of the Moab Times-Independent, about the city’s decision to hire a lobbyist to help secure federal funding for flood mitigation and other infrastructure projects, as well as the city’s plan to replace solar panels on city hall before the end of the year. We start off the conversation with a story about Glen Richeson, a longtime Moab resident who passed away earlier this summer.

- Show Notes -

• Moab hires federal lobbyist

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-hires-washington-d-c-lobbyist/

• Remembering Glen Richeson’s lifetime of service in Moab

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/remembering-glen-richesons-lifetime-of-service-in-moab/

• Moab City Council approves $500k to reinstall, replace solar panels on City Hall

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-city-council-approves-500k-to-reinstall-replace-solar-panels-on-city-hall/

This week on the News Reel, we talk to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times Independent, about recent downtrends in tourism, and what the county and city are doing to adjust their budgets in response. We also discuss upcoming filming that will close down Main Street in Moab next week.

- Show Notes -

• Falling Grand County tax revenue forces nearly $2M budget transfer

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/falling-grand-county-tax-revenue-forces-nearly-2m-budget-transfer/

• Trail ambassador program loses nearly $200K in budget cuts

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/gcatt-trail-ambassador-program-loses-nearly-$200k-in-budget-cuts/

• City prepares for large production with crew members already landing in Moab

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/the-city-prepares-for-large-production-with-crew-members-already-landing-in-moab/

On Monday, San Juan County Sheriff Lehi Lacy announced that an investigation by his department and the Utah Fire Authority identified a suspect responsible for the Deer Creek Fire. No additional information about the suspect has been released. The fire is more than 50 percent contained, and as of Tuesday morning, over 17,000 acres have burned, including 10 structures. Geyser Pass Road, Forest Road 73 (La Sal Pass Road), and Highway 46/Highway 90 are now open to the public.

- Show Notes -

• USFS: Deer Creek Wildfire Closure Information

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/manti-lasal/alerts/deer-creek-wildfire-closure-7212025-moab-ranger-district

This week on the Regional Roundup, we revisit the award-winning series called “Loved to Death,” which explores the complex relationship between tourism and the environment. The series looks at the impact of social media influencers on local trails, a timed-entry system at Rocky Mountain National Park aimed at controlling crowds, and a historic railroad’s switch from coal to oil-powered engines after a wildfire. It also examines the threat of invasive species carried in by visitors.