Forest service adds fire restrictions as Summit County Beulah Fire grows

Fire restrictions are in place for almost all of the state a day after the Beulah Fire sparked in Summit County.

U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Toby Weed said Friday the blaze had grown to more than 1,400 acres and was 0% contained in the Uinta Mountains about 7.5 miles southeast of the Bear River ranger station on Mirror Lake Highway.

Weed said the fire was not threatening structures yet but that it could if the fire grew. The Hinckley Boy Scout camp is about 2.5 miles away.

The Summit County Sheriff’s Department closed roads Thursday and evacuated people from Christmas Meadows, the east fork of the Bear River, Mill Creek and the west fork of the Blacks Fork area.

Recreators are asked to avoid the area to allow crews to safely fight the fire.

Three helicopters, planes and about 140 people worked to contain the blaze Friday. Aircraft dropped water while ground crews cleared underbrush, set up sprinkler systems and scouted the fire’s perimeter.

Weed said what’s known as a “scooper” plane was on standby if needed to make larger water drops.

The Beulah Fire comes amid red flag warnings for more than half the state with no rain in the forecast and gusty winds which were expected to increase fire activity.

Stage 2 fire restrictions have been in effect across Utah, banning open fires on unincorporated land and some national forests.

However, no restrictions were in place for the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest when the fire started Aug. 7.

The forest service has since placed the area under lower Stage 1 restrictions. The order restricts open flames, smoking and welding and prohibits fireworks.

Violating the fire restrictions is punishable by up to six months in jail and fines from $1,000 to $10,000.