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East Fork Fire Grows, Now 15% Contained

U.S. Forest Service

The East Fork Fire in the Uinta Mountains continues to burn. The U.S. Forest Service is now reporting the blaze is 15% contained.

 

The U.S. Forest Service reported as of Sept. 12th the fire has burned nearly 47,000 acres in the Uinta Mountains. High winds earlier in the week led to increased fire activity and saw the fire grow and combine with the nearby Phinney Lake Fire.

 

The fire was started by a lightning strike just north of the Upper Stillwater Reservoir in the Rock Creek drainage area on August 21st. There are currently 259 fire personnel fighting the blaze.

 

Clear skies later in the week have allowed helicopters to operate throughout the day and ground crews directed helicopter water drops on hot spots along the fire’s perimeter.

 

Clear skies combined with warmer temperatures over the last couple of days have increased fire activity.

 

The Forest Service says closures are in effect for the Ashley National Forest and on Uintah and Ouray Tribal Lands. The Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office has also closed county roads in and near the fire area.

 

Members of the public are asked to respect road and area closures. The Forest Service asks if you do make your way up to the Uintas to please drive with caution as smoke reduces visibility and firefighters are working in the area.

 

Drones are strictly prohibited in the fire area. If drones are flying in the area, airborne firefighting assets cannot fly.

 

More information about the East Fork Fire and specific area closures can be found here.

Sean Higgins covers all things Park City and is the Saturday Weekend Edition host at KPCW. Sean spent the first five years of his journalism career covering World Cup skiing for Ski Racing Media here in Utah and served as Senior Editor until January 2020. As Senior Editor, he managed the day-to-day news section of skiracing.com, as well as produced and hosted Ski Racing’s weekly podcast. During his tenure with Ski Racing Media, he was also a field reporter for NBC Sports, covering events in Europe.