Utah's Forsyth Fire remains uncontained after exploding in size, destroying homes
The Forsyth Fire was sparked by a lightning strike Thursday near Pine Valley, Utah, and continues to burn uncontained after consuming more than 5,660 acres by Sunday night, according to the U.S. Forest Service in Dixie National Forest.
Forsyth Fire destroys several homes in southern Utah
The Forsyth Fire began on Thursday in Pine Valley, Utah. The fire quickly spread and burned at least 17 homes.
PINE VALLEY, Utah – The Forsyth Fire in southern Utah nearly quadrupled in size over the weekend amid dry and windy conditions. The wildfire prompted evacuations and destroyed at least 14 homes, according to officials.
The fire was sparked by a lightning strike Thursday near Pine Valley, Utah, and continues to burn uncontained after consuming more than 5,660 acres by Sunday night, according to the U.S. Forest Service in Dixie National Forest.
Flames from the Forsyth Fire
(STRINGER/CHRIS CALDWELL)
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox surveyed some of the damage with first responders Sunday.
Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby revised the number of homes destroyed to 14 on social media Sunday.
FOX 13 Utah reported that two of the homes belonged to Pine Valley firefighters.
CALIFORNIA DEVELOPER CREATES WILDFIRE RESISTANT NEIGHBORHOOD
(FOX Weather)
"The firefighters were shocked," Brooksby wrote. "They had busted their butts for two days with, maybe two hours of sleep to protect the community. They lost structures. That is the worst of the worst in their world. I could see it in their eyes. They gave it all they had, and still lost to Mother Nature. I appreciate their efforts, and will support them with everything we have until the firestorm is calm."
Evacuations for the community and the area surrounding Pine Valley were issued Saturday. Over the weekend, the communities of Pinto and Grass Valley were advised to evacuate.
![This photo shows the Forsyth Fire on June 22, 2025.]()
Image 1 of 5This photo shows the Forsyth Fire on June 22, 2025. (Gov. Cox/X)
![Seventeen homes were burned in the Forsyth Fire.]()
Image 2 of 5Homes burned in the Forsyth Fire. (Washington County Sheriff's Office - Utah )
![Seventeen homes were burned in the Forsyth Fire.]()
Image 3 of 5Homes burned in the Forsyth Fire. (Washington County Sheriff's Office - Utah )
![The Forsyth Fire burns bright in the night.]()
Image 4 of 5The Forsyth Fire burns bright in the night. (Utah Fire Info)
![Smoky skies in Washington County, Utah, as the Forsyth Fire burns.]()
Image 5 of 5Smoky skies in Washington County, Utah, as the Forsyth Fire burns. (Washington County Sheriff's Office - Utah )
The fire is difficult to fight due to steep, mountainous terrain, and is driven by strong, hot and dry winds, the U.S. Forest Service division in the Dixie National Forest said.
Conditions remain dry Monday after the National Weather Service issued a Fire Weather Warning on Sunday for parts of Utah, Arizona and Colorado due to high winds and low relative humidity.
More than 100 miles east of Pine Valley, the France Canyon Fire, near Hatch, Utah, has consumed more than 15,000 acres and is only 10% contained. This and other wildfires in Southern Utah could send smoke north along the dangerous heat dome that has gripped the eastern half of the country.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, this smoke combined with Canadian wildfire smoke moving south toward the U.S., could lead to degraded air quality in several regions.