Update: Dollar Ridge Fire now 65% contained

Pioneer Peak Interagency Hotshot Crew from Palmer, Alaska takes in the landscape on the Dollar Ridge Fire. Photo Courtesy: Utah Fire Info

WASATCH/DUCHESNE COUNTIES, Utah, July 15, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — The Dollar Ridge Fire is 65 percent contained, officials said Sunday, and has burned 56,734 acres.

An update on Facebook from Utah Fire Info said there are now 808 total personnel assigned to the fire; eight helicopters, 34 engines and 16 crews.

The areas to the east of Strawberry Reservoir in evacuation zone W1, including Pine Hollow, Aspen Grove and 40 Dam Acres opened Saturday.

Aspen Grove Campground near Soldier Creek Dam, above the Soldier Creek section of Strawberry Reservoir, will open Sunday, the update said.

The update said that most of the fire received rain Saturday, particularly the western and southwestern flanks.

“The rain, along with cloudy conditions throughout the day, produced minimal fire activity,” the update said. “Firefighters continued patrolling and mopping up along all completed containment lines, putting out any hot spots they found and began suppression rehabilitation efforts where needed.”

Sunday, firefighters will continue to construct indirect fire line on the uncontained southwestern flank, the update said.

“This is an area of the fire where a lot of bug-killed timber is still standing and posing a threat to firefighters,” the update goes on.

“Safety is always the number one consideration in all operational activities, so crews are working around the edges of these trees to construct line and may burn out some of them to reduce the threat if conditions allow.”

Patrolling and mopping up of contained lines will continue on the northern flank of the fire aided by aerial resources if needed, the update said..

The Dollar Ridge Fire started 4.5 miles southeast of Strawberry Reservoir at about 1 p.m. July 1.

The cause is believed to be due to human activity and is under investigation.

Gephardt Daily will update this story as more information becomes available.

For the latest updates on the Dollar Ridge Fire and other Utah wildfires click here.

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