Just wanted to let people know that Antelope Island State Park in Utah is on fire. The fire, believed to have been started by lightning, started last night and has now consumed 8,000 acres of the 28,800 acre park.
I know quite a few landscape, bird & nature photographers from NPN visit the park annually.
8,000 acres in half a day? Conditions must be extreme. Sorry to see all that wonderful habitat damaged.
Posted by Mia McPherson on July 23, 2016 at 11:50 AM
I know, going from 300 acres to 8,000 is extreme. We are very dry here. When I heard thunder and the crack of dry lightning yesterday evening my first thought was "oh no, that could cause a wildfire". I don't know if what I heard started the fire, I doubt it, but it happened around the same time as this fire started.
Here in Boise we've already had two range fires quite near the city. Also greatly aggravated by the invasive cheatgrass. Both of those fires were man-caused. The first by illegal fireworks; the second by a neglected campfire.
The fire is now at 10,000 acres, winds are not helping. The air here in the valley is filling with smoke.
Antelope Island won't look the same as when you were here last. I've seen images from today and they show the destruction. I won't be going to the island to take images, best to leave the firefighters unhampered and doing what they need to do.
I'm afraid this is going to be a very bad wildfire season for much of the west, with the extreme heat and drought this year (and the last few years). Saw a number of fires from the plane on th way back from my last florida trip a couple days ago.
Good luck to all our wonderful wild places, and those near them.
Sandy
Posted by Mia McPherson on July 23, 2016 at 11:32 PM
13,740 acres burned as of 8:30 pm Mountain time.
Sandy, I agree with you, I'm afraid this is going to be a bad wildfire year too.
The fire is essentially out, there are a few hot spots they are keeping an eye on. The roads on the eastern side of the island should be open today. I didn't go out there yesterday but when I drove home from Bear River MBR I could see the island, it is definitely fire scarred. Quite shocking to see actually.
The larger animals seemed to escape the fire but since it is an island and half the forage is gone they may need to take action because there won't be enough food for them all to survive the winter.
Discussion
10 repliesI know quite a few landscape, bird & nature photographers from NPN visit the park annually.
Antelope Island won't look the same as when you were here last. I've seen images from today and they show the destruction. I won't be going to the island to take images, best to leave the firefighters unhampered and doing what they need to do.
Sad to hear about the wildfires up there Jim.
Good luck to all our wonderful wild places, and those near them.
Sandy
Sandy, I agree with you, I'm afraid this is going to be a bad wildfire year too.
The larger animals seemed to escape the fire but since it is an island and half the forage is gone they may need to take action because there won't be enough food for them all to survive the winter.