Tejal Somvanshi
A rare fire whirl twisted through the Deer Creek Fire near Old La Sal, Utah, as firefighters battle the uncontained wildfire that has scorched nearly 9,000 acres along the Utah-Colorado border. The dramatic weather event, captured on video by BLM-Utah crews, has complicated firefighting efforts while hundreds of residents remain displaced from their homes.
The Deer Creek Fire ignited around 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, and grew rapidly due to hot, dry conditions. By Sunday, July 13, the blaze had consumed 8,925 acres with zero percent containment. Strong terrain-driven winds through Hangdog Creek pushed flames northward by approximately 400 acres on Sunday alone.
“It’s pretty much just been wait, watch and pray, to be honest,” said Chris Hills, a local resident who evacuated from the area.
As the fire threatened homes, local residents stepped in as first responders. The Utah Fire Department has publicly thanked those involved in initial attack efforts, with special recognition to local heroes who helped protect the La Sal neighborhood. Chloe May shared that her father and what she called “the KUHL gang,” along with other brave volunteers, worked on foot to save people’s houses as the fire approached. Community meetings continue at La Sal Community Center, providing updates and safety information to displaced residents.
The fire has destroyed five primary homes and damaged ten additional structures, with about 80 more buildings currently threatened. Evacuation orders remain in effect for the Old La Sal area, Upper Two Mile Road, Mount Manns, and areas toward the Utah-Colorado border.
State Route 46 temporarily closed but has since reopened, though officials recommend using headlights and exercising caution when traveling during dawn and dusk in areas affected by smoke. Parts of the Manti-La Sal National Forest remain closed due to safety concerns.
The Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 4 has taken command of firefighting operations. Around 300 personnel are battling the blaze, including 190 initial responders plus 110 additional firefighters deployed by July 13. Resources include 10 fire engines, 3 bulldozers, 3 helicopters, and 3 water tenders.
Contrary to previous reports, while FEMA has authorized federal funds to assist with firefighting costs for several Colorado fires, this authorization does not extend to the Deer Creek Fire in Utah. Katherine Fox, FEMA Region 8 administrator, recognized the situation as a major disaster, but funding specifics apply only to the Colorado side of the emergency response.
The cause of the Deer Creek Fire remains under investigation. Officials have not confirmed the origin, though the investigation continues.
The pyrovortex (commonly called a “fire whirl” or “firenado”) occurs when intense surface heat creates powerful updrafts that begin to spin. They form when a wildfire generates enough heat to create its own localized weather system. The rotating column of air pulls in burning debris and gases, creating a swirling vortex of flame that can reach hundreds of feet high.
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Utah Fire Info confirmed the extreme fire behavior forced crews to pull back for safety. Local topography near Old La Sal Ridge likely contributed to the formation of the fire whirl, as airflow turbulence near ridgelines can concentrate vortices. When these conditions combine with extremely dry fuels and erratic winds, fire behavior becomes especially unpredictable.
Weather conditions remain challenging for firefighters, with daytime temperatures in the 80s°F and low humidity expected to continue. These factors have created prime conditions for extreme fire behavior in the pinyon-juniper forests of the region.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued a regional disaster declaration covering multiple Colorado fires, including the Sowbelly Fire (2,251 acres), South Rim Fire (3,556 acres), Wright Draw Fire (160 acres), and Turner Gulch Fire (512 acres). Unlike the Colorado fires, which resulted from lightning strikes, the Deer Creek Fire’s cause remains undetermined.
A community meeting was held at La Sal Community Center on July 13 to provide residents with updates and safety information. Officials continue to monitor the fire’s growth and adjust response strategies accordingly.
Residents in affected areas should follow evacuation orders immediately if issued, prepare emergency kits with essential documents, medications, and water, monitor local news and official social media channels for updates, register for county emergency alerts, and report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement.
The Deer Creek Fire continues to burn through pinyon-juniper forests with zero containment. Emergency responders work to protect homes and natural resources while monitoring changing weather conditions that could affect fire spread. Local and state agencies provide regular updates as the situation develops.
These wildfire events can have lasting impacts beyond the immediate emergency. Wildfires Contaminate Water for 8 Years, according to research showing dramatically increased sediment levels in streams after major fires.
The extreme fire behavior witnessed at Deer Creek fits into a broader pattern examined in The Vicious Cycle of Wildfires and Climate, where black carbon emissions from intense fires contribute to conditions that fuel future blazes.
Public health officials recommend residents monitor air quality, as smoke can travel significant distances, similar to recent cases when Minnesota Air Quality Crisis triggered alerts hundreds of miles from the fire source.
Large-scale evacuations require community coordination and support systems, a challenge faced in many western fires including recent Canada Wildfires: 21,000 Evacuated incidents that demanded similar emergency response efforts.
