(St. George, UT) - Wednesday morning fire managers reported that lightning strikes

had ignited three small, single tree starts within the Color Country Interagency Fire Management Area which includes public and state lands in Southwest, Utah and Northwest, Arizona.

The “O Fire” in the West Desert was also sparked by lightning and is currently 20 acres in size. While fire managers have not yet given an estimated containment date, fire crews are making good progress on the “O Fire”.

Color Country Interagency Fire Management crews are also making good progress on the 5 acre “Leap Fire,” located approximately 30 miles south of Cedar City, Utah and one quarter of a mile west of Interstate 15. The “Leap Fire” is not hindering traffic on Interstate 15, nor threatening structures.

The National Weather Service has predicted a hot, dry weather pattern accompanied by high winds for Wednesday’s forecast. These types of weather patterns result in the issuance of “Red Flag Warnings,” which means fire dangers have reached extreme levels. Fire managers are asking the public for assistance by exercising extreme caution with fire dangers in mind.

As a reminder, due to high fire danger, fire restrictions are still in effect on all public lands and unincorporated state and private lands in Washington County, Utah, all BLM-administered public lands within the Arizona Strip District in Coconino and Mohave Counties in Arizona.

Restrictions also include all Bureau of Indian Affairs administered trust lands on the Shivwits Band and Kaibab Band Reservations and all Forest Service administered lands on the Pine Valley Ranger District.

These restrictions do not apply to incorporated towns and cities. Zion

National Park additionally is restricting any campfires in Watchman and South Campgrounds in Zion Canyon, but will allow propane or gas stoves.

The following acts are prohibited until further notice:

1. Setting, building, maintaining, attending or using open fire of any kind, except campfires and charcoal fires within agency approved fire pits and grills provided for in developed recreation sites and picnic areas or except as otherwise authorized (except for the Virgin River Gorge Campground in Arizona which is under previous restrictions that remain ineffect). Devices fueled by petroleum or LPG products are allowed in all locations. In Zion National Park, campfires are not allowed in Watchman and South Campgrounds, but propane or gas stoves are permitted.

2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, camp trailer, building, developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least six feet in diameter that is barren or cleared to mineral soil.

3. Discharging, or using any kind of fireworks, tracer ammunition or other incendiary devices in any location on federal, state and unincorporated private lands. (Note that these acts are always prohibited on state and federal lands)

4. The cutting, welding or grinding of metal in areas of dry vegetation (federal, state and unincorporated private lands in Washington County, Utah)