Silver King Fire’s Growth Leaves People in Shock

MARYSVALE, Piute County — Many residents in rural Utah are bracing for the worst as a wildfire has grown in size over the past 24 hours.

“It’s been incredibly heartbreaking to watch,” Ellery Gowdy said of watching the Silver King Fire grow throughout the weekend.

Gowdy said most of his extended family lives in Marysvale, but his father’s house is in danger of burning down.

The burning of the Silver King in sight of Ellery Gowdy’s father’s estate. (Courtesy of Ellery Gowdy)

On Sunday, Marysvale city officials ordered the evacuation of Upper Bullion Canyon. Throughout the weekend, Gowdy said his father and other residents did what they could to clear nearby foliage and hosed down their homes as the fire drew closer.

“It was a very emotional fire for everyone involved, honestly, because there’s a lot of history in these hills and mountains,” she said.

Just north of Ellery’s family home, Jonathan Edwards, a pastor from Marysvale, began packing up valuables from one of the ministry buildings.

“There’s a lot of fuel on the mountainside where the fire has been burning for the past few days,” Edwards said as fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters flew overhead.

Jonathan Edwards speaks to KSL TV about his concerns about the growing fire. (KSL TV)

Local fire departments, along with federal personnel, are battling wildfires amid high winds and extreme conditions.

Governor Spencer Cox posted on X: “The next two weeks will be brutal for fires in our state. Please be careful.” While the fire remains at zero percent containment, many are hoping for a positive outcome.

Spent the afternoon in Marysvale on the Silver King Fire. The fire is spreading rapidly in difficult terrain. I am grateful to the local/state/federal crews working to save lives and property. The next two weeks will be brutal for fire conditions in our state. Stay safe. https://t.co/TPtuGJV7SO pic.twitter.com/WNFjHruLIq

— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) July 7, 2024

“Everything we have is given to us by the Lord and we are simply stewards of it for a time, and it is all in His hands,” Edwards said.

FEMA announced Sunday afternoon that nearly 300 homes were at risk and is now providing federal assistance.