While firefighters responded to a blaze near the Echo Reservoir on Monday, the U.S. Forest Service issued updates on two fires in the High Uintas that started earlier in August.
The Forest Service is reporting that the Murdock Fire, which started a week ago, August 28th, had burned about 300 acres and is 30 percent contained.
The fire, which was caused by lightning, is 22 miles northeast of Kamas and about three-and-a-half miles east of the Mirror Lake Highway. A temporary closure of the area has been set up, starting at the Murdock Basin Road, a couple of miles up from Highway 150.
The Forest Service reported about 90 personnel are on site.
They’re also reporting that the Slate Fire, which was also started by lightning, on August 23rd, has burned about 30 acres. It is located about six miles northeast of Kamas. They said that on Monday, they saw some growth of the blaze due to warmer and dryer conditions.
In both cases, the fires are burning in mixed-conifer and aspen forest with a significant amount of dead or downed vegetation. The Forest Service said smoke may be visible from the Mirror Lake Highway or Highway 40.
Meanwhile, In another part of the Wasatch, the Utah Fire Info website is reporting that the Avon Fire, near the Powder Mountain Ski area, has been entirely contained. It burned 780 acres.
