WASATCH COUNTY, Utah, Oct. 13, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — The Yellow Lake Fire has grown more than 3,500 acres since Saturday, and now stands at 29,730 acres and 23% contained.
“On Saturday, winds from the south pushed the northern boundary of the Yellow Lake Fire across Soapstone Basin, towards Iron Mine Road,” says a statement issued by the U.S. Forest Service and shared by Utah Fire Info. “Night operations reported a few ‘glows’ of heat, but nothing substantial.
“Fire operations near Iron Mine Road are strategically focusing on primary and secondary lines to keep the fire from impacting the use of Mirror Lake Highway, SR-150. Weather conditions are expected to generate similar fire behavior this afternoon with predicted winds from the south and southeast.”
Fire activity on the east side has stalled, the statement says, continuing to creep around at higher elevations near Lightning Ridge. Structure protection remains in places, where needed, over the entire fire area.
“On the southern flank of the fire, dozers work and handlines are being used to provide extra buffers between Rhodes Canyon and Wolf Creek pass, SR-35. Indirect line is being used to tie in sections of the fire near the West Fork of the Duchesne.”
Chippers will be used today “to remove fuels and to clean up the fire perimeter near Mill Hollow Guard Station.”
Fuel types, terrain and weather patterns are the driving forces behind fire behavior, the statement says.
Operational tactics are adapted as conditions change. Cloud cover on ridges this afternoon could produce minimal precipitation, but fire crews are also alerted to potential downdraft winds that may as well.
At present, personnel assigned the fire, which began on Sept. 28, number 848.
“Some firefighting crews and resources are timing out,” the Sunday update stays. “Additional crews and equipment are coming in to maintain operational momentum.”
All previously announced mandatory evacuations remain in place, and residents of Hanna are still urged to have bags packed and to be ready to evacuate if ordered.
A public meeting is set for 6 p.m. Monday in Tabiona, in the old high school gym, the statement says.
