Smoke Filled Skies

Hundreds of fires in the west have laid a heavy blanket of smoke over the lake.
Photo by Bear Lake Weather

Tony Grove fire

From Cache Valley Daily:  Abandoned fire-ring where investigators believe a campfire was abandoned, sparking the Tony Grove Fire, northwest of Tony Grove Lake (Courtesy: US National Forest)

Fire fighters gaining containment on the Tony Grove Fire, northwest of Tony Grove Lake (Courtesy: US National Forest)

LOGAN — Some hikers and campers were evacuated from the Tony Grove Campground after a fire started on the northwest side of the lake. The Tony Grove Fire, believed to be human caused, was reported Friday afternoon.

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest spokesman Toby Weed said 30 firefighters from the Forest Service, BLM and Cache County responded to the area. They were able to begin constructing a line around the fire, with the help of a helicopter dropping water on hot spots.

The fire is estimated to have burned approximately one-acre in steep terrain. It is already more than 60 percent contained.

Weed said, investigators suspect the fire started by an illegal campfire that was left abandoned. The fire escaped from a fire-ring that had been built in litter and duff from surrounding trees. Hidden embers were likely left smoldering unintentionally.

The fire re-kindled during the daytime heat and wind Friday, and escaped the fire-ring. It then began to spread into the dry vegetation nearby, including fallen and dead trees.

Helicopter dropping water on the Tony Grove Fire, northwest of Tony Grove Lake (Courtesy: US National Forest)

Weed said although they know the fire was human caused, it is still under investigation. He is asking for the public’s help, if anyone may have seen who might have started the fire. Hunters are also encouraged to review their game cameras for any suspicious activity.

Earlier this month, fire restrictions were put in place, banning all campfires in undeveloped areas of the National Forest. The fire restrictions also prohibit smoking, using charcoal, coal and wood stoves throughout the northern half of Utah, portions of southern Idaho and western Wyoming.

Weed said the parking lot at Tony Grove Lake will remain closed for the safety for firefighters and the public. Fire personnel are continuing to finish mopping up, checking for hot spots, and monitoring the fire.

Bull moose illegally killed

SALT LAKE CITY— The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is asking for the public’s help in gathering information about a bull moose that was illegally killed in Rich County last month.

From Millard County Chronicle Express

August 19, 2020.  Conservation officers received a report of a dead moose near Bug Lake in Rich County on July 30. Officers responded to the area and found the carcass of a small bull moose less than 10 yards off the road.

After performing a necropsy on the carcass, the officer determined the moose had been shot with archery equipment, based on wound patterns consistent with that of a broadhead arrow. It is estimated the bull moose was killed sometime between July 26 and July 28. There is not an open hunting season for moose during that time.

Anyone with information regarding the illegal killing of this animal, or any other wildlife, is encouraged to contact the UTiP Hotline at 800-662-3337. You can also report any illegal wild- life activity on the DWR website. If you have information about this specific case, you can also contact DWR Officer Dakota Pray at 385-245-0470.

Truck ramp update

Truck Escape Ramp Project

Crews completed pouring the east truck escape ramp walls and have started working on the west truck escape ramp walls starting at the north end. Construction work will continue to take place on the east side of the shoulder and will have minimal traffic impacts.

The current traffic pattern will remain the same throughout the month of August. Message signs around the project will advertise slowing down through the area due to the lanes being slightly more narrow through the project zone.

This project is anticipated to be completed by the end of the summer.

Major detour by KOA

Addition of Center Turn Lane at 300 West

As of last week, a detour has been put in place that eliminates southbound traffic through the project (approximately 300 West to Sunrise Drive) for approximately 40 consecutive days (including weekends). This week crews are excavating the roadway and maintaining the accesses to the businesses and residences in the project area.

The Detour:
Southbound traffic will be diverted south along 300 West and back to US-89 via 200 North. Motorists wishing to access Logan Canyon can continue down 300 West until intercepting US-89.

This project will widen US-89 from approximately 300 West to Sunrise Drive on the north end of Garden City. This project will improve the safety of this heavily used area by adding a center lane to the roadway (in front of the KOA). Construction is expected to be completed by the end of September.

Thank heaven or too many people?

Editorial Comment:

This has been an amazing summer in terms of tourism.  Some businesses are estimating two to two and half times the business and visitors.  It is welcome news as many people were terrified that our economy would be crushed because of Covid 19.   Brian Hirschi, who admirably faced two of his employees getting COVID at the first of the summer and handled it with concern for his employees and community, says that he is so busy that if he were renting inner tubes instead of boats they would be rented. 

But there are some small businesses that have seen more people but less profit, as the tourists want "quick and dirty" fixes on their jet skis and boats and have kept some of the locals who want full tune ups away.

Both the North Beach and Rendezvous Beach are filled up every morning and cars are illegally parked along roadsides to allow people to use the beaches.

Some of the regulars who come back every year are re evaluating whether Bear Lake is the destination they want because there are too many people.

Our services such as ambulances, sewer, internet and garbage pickup are running past their maximum capacity because of the wonderful people who run these services.  Many have had to work late into the night without pay just because they are the kind of people who are dedicated to our community.

We want and need tourism.  It is the life blood of the County and Garden City.  But unless we plan better for tourism enjoyment we may be killing the "Goose that laid the Golden Egg."

It is time for a dialogue, so if you have any suggestions please share them.