*UPDATE* Heavy Smoke Caused by Reported Fire Near Skyline Mine, Officials Say No

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Public safety dispatch initially confirmed that there was a fire near Skyline Mine in Scofield that was causing smoke throughout the area. Upon further investigation, it was determined that a fire did not exist in that area and the smoke could be caused by a controlled burn near the Range Creek area.

Neither the Moab Interagency Fire Center nor area fire management officer Rudy Sandoval could confirm that a fire is burning in the region. Rosann Fillmore, Manti-La Sal National Forest Public Affairs Officer, echoed the fire center and Sandoval’s sentiments. All parties do believe that smoke from wildfires in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana are drifting into the area causing smokey conditions.

The Moab fire center will send a reconnaissance aircraft later this afternoon to inspect the region for additional blazes. According to the center, lightning strikes nearby have crews concerned that small unreported fires may exist.

Check back with etv10news.com for additional information as it becomes available.

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