Yellow Lake Fire nears 30K acres, public meeting to be held

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah ( ABC4 ) — The Yellow Lake Fire in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is nearing 30,000 acres, according to a Sunday update from Utah Fire Info. A public meeting will be held this afternoon, Sunday, to provide information and address questions from the community.

The public meeting will be held at the Kamas Middle School Auditorium. It will also be live streamed on both the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache Facebook page and the Ashley National Forest Facebook page . A public meeting will also be held in Tabiona at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 14, in the old high school gymnasium.

The wildfire is currently listed at 29,730 acres, with 23% containment, according to fire officials. A total of 848 fire personnel are involved in battling the blaze at this time.

On Saturday, winds coming from the south reportedly pushed the northern boundary of the fire across Soapstone Basin towards Iron Mine Road. Night operations reported a few “glows” of heat, officials said, but “nothing substantial.”

Fire behavior is expected to be similar today, with winds predicted to come from the south and southeast. Firefighters are focused on keeping the fire from impacting the use of Mirror Lake Highway, SR 150, according to Sunday’s update.

Fire activity on the east side has reportedly stalled, “continuing to creep around at higher elevations near Lightning Ridge,” fire officials said. “Structure protection remains in place, where needed, over the entire fire area.”

On the southern border of the fire, firefighters are working to provide buffers between Rhodes Canyon and Wolf Creek Pass, SR 35.

“Indirect line is being used to tie in sections of the fire line near the West Fork of the Duchesne. Hazard trees in the area prevent safe construction of direct line,” officials said. “Completed hand lines and hose lays in the Heart Lake area, remain intact. Chippers will be used today to remove fuels and to clean up the fire perimeter near the Mill Hollow Guard Station.”

While cloud cover on ridges this afternoon could produce minimal precipitation, officials said, fire crews are also expecting potential downdraft winds. Additional crews and equipment are reportedly coming in to maintain operations.

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest closures are in effect through Oct. 31.

The North and West Forks of the Duchesne River, and Granddaddy Lakes area are under a mandatory GO evacuation. This means all residents, hunters, and recreationists must leave and stay out of the area. Hanna is under a SET order, meaning residents should have bags packed and be prepared to evacuate if necessary.

Evacuation zones can be found here .

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