Largest wildfire of the season surpasses 31k acres in eastern Utah

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah ( ABC4 ) — The Yellow Lake Fire has surpassed 31,000 acres and continues to threaten parts of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and Ashley National Forest in eastern Utah.

The Yellow Lake Fire is the largest wildfire of the season and is located approximately 10 miles southeast of Francis in Summit County, according to Utah Fire Info. It is currently 29% contained and the cause of the fire remains undetermined.

The wildfire — which sparked in late September — recently led to mandatory evacuations in the North and West Forks of the Duchesne River and in the Granddaddy Lakes area. The evacuation orders are still in effect, and authorities are counseling Hanna residents to pack bags and be ready to go should an evacuation order become necessary for that area.

Nearly 900 firefighters are working on the fire using water-scooping airplanes and helicopters, dozers, pumps, hoses, and sprinklers. The northwest section of the fire is currently the most active.

Over the past few years, the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest engaged in fuel thinning projects along Mirror Lake Highway which fire managers said have made a difference in the wildfire’s growth. They said the “fuel breaks slowed” the wildfire’s progression.

Authorities said crews plan to strengthen the existing control lines ahead of the winds expected to come Wednesday followed by rain and snow Thursday .

For more information on evacuation zones, visit the Wasatch County Emergency Management Hub website .

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