9:32 p.m. MDT June 5, 2021
The Mammoth Fire 21 miles east-southeast of Cedar City, Utah spread rapidly after it was detected at 12:55 p.m. on Saturday. It is estimated to have burned at least 600 acres on the Dixie National Forest by late afternoon.
The fire is 5 miles north of Duck Creek Village and 12 miles west-southwest of Hatch and Highway 89. Approximately 200 structures are threatened.
It is burning in timber toward the east and northeast exhibiting extreme fire behavior. It is large enough to be seen by satellites and the smoke is showing up on weather radar.
A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered. Great Basin Team 5 with Incident Commander Sam Hicks is expected to be on scene by the end of the day Sunday.
The weather will present a challenge for firefighters with a Red Flag Warning and a forecast on Monday for 14 to 20 mph southwest winds gusting in the afternoon at 30 to 38 mph as the relative humidity dips into the low teens. Conditions will be similar on Tuesday and Wednesday.
