WASATCH COUNTY, Utah, Oct. 2, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — The Forest Service announced Wednesday that the Yellow Lake Fire is growing, and remains active and uncontained.
The current acreage involved stands at 2,474 acres.
“Northwest winds began to push the fire east/southeast yesterday, causing the fire to spot near Heart Lake,” the fire update says.
“The fire is established in a timber stand, increasing fire activity. Firefighters strategically attacked this spot fire, utilizing helicopters with buckets where successful to cool the flames.
“Campers and recreationalists were asked to evacuate the area north of the West Fork of the Duchesne Ridge, and closures will be extended to include this portion of the forest.”
The fire has been determined to be human caused, although the circumstances are still under investigation.
The fire is slowly burning through the retardant line on the east perimeter, the statement says.
“Crews continue to enhance the fuel breaks along the eastern perimeter, as well as near the YMCA camp, by thinning vegetation and utilizing bulldozers. While some of the fire has spotted across these lines, for the most part, the current perimeter is not seeing significant growth on the east and west sides. The north side of the fire continues to see activity.”
Hot, dry conditions, a predicted lack of precipitation, abundant wood as fuel, and topography are working against fire suppression efforts, the statement says.
“Despite crews making progress, these conditions inhibit containment,” the Forest Service statement says.
Highway 35 remains closed, and will for at least the next day or two, the statement says, “until fire activity decreases and road conditions can be assessed.”
The statement adds that 390 people are assigned to the fire, as are resources, including aircraft, engines, water tenders and bulldozers.
