Summit County fire in Uinta Mountains forces evacuations, road closures

Firefighters from multiple agencies and forest service crews are working to contain a new fire first reported in the Uinta Mountains Thursday, Aug. 7.

The U.S. Forest Service said the Beulah Fire is burning in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest between Mount Beulah and Lamotte Peak, a few miles from the Manor Lands east of Mirror Lake Highway.

It is estimated at around 200 acres after fire crews originally said it covered between 300 and 400 acres earlier Thursday.

The forest service said smoke jumpers, firefighters who parachute into remote areas affected by fire, were called out but had not been able to jump because of high winds Thursday afternoon.

Wyoming's Uinta County fire and ambulance service said crews had not been able to access the fire on the ground because of its location.

A Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter was called in to help with evacuations in the Uinta Mountains east of the Christmas Meadows area.

Recreators are asked to stay clear of the area to allow crews to safely fight the flames.

The fire comes amid red flag warnings affecting most of the state because of gusty winds and no rain in the forecast.

Stage 2 fire restrictions are also in effect, banning open fires on unincorporated land and some national forests.

The area where the fire sparked was not under Stage 2 restrictions when the fire started.

However, the forest service said Thursday night fire restrictions would be added to the area effective Aug. 8 to "reduce the potential for human-caused fires."

The cause of the fire is under investigation.