UPDATED: Yellow Lake Fire prompts evacuations, reaches 1,500 acres

UPDATE: 9:39 a.m. – The Yellow Lake Fire is estimated at 1,500 acres and is 0% contained, fire officials at Utah Fire Info reported Monday morning. The area received a light amount of precipitation Sunday night, but the fire remained active overnight in heavy timber.

Additional resources arrived yesterday and have been briefed and began working today. Officials say crews will be working around the clock on scene until further notice.

UPDATE: 5:55 p.m. – The Heber-Kamas Ranger District reported Sunday evening that the Yellow Lake Fire had grown to approximately 1,500 acres and was burning in timber as well as in standing dead and downed timber.

The fire, located east and south of Mill Hollow Reservoir has crossed onto the east side of Highway 35. Highway 35 is now closed. 

Fire officials now report there are 4 air tankers, 5 engines, 2 helicopters and 2 crews working on the raging fire. Additional resources are being ordered. 

An area closure is being put into place for public safety. All campers within the closed area, including Soapstone Basin area are being asked to leave. The closed area boundaries are Mill Hollow on the west side, Soapstone Basin area North of Highway 35, Wolf Creek campground on the east and Duschene Ridge on the south.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by TownLift (@townliftnews)

UPDATE: 3:07 p.m. – Evacuations due to the Yellow Lake Fire are being ordered in the Duchesne Ridge, Mill Hollow, Wolf Creek and Soapstone Pass areas of Wasatch County.

Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office and Wasatch County Search & Rescue are in the process of informing individuals within the closure area of the need to evacuate.

State Road 35 at the Noblett’s Trailhead (milepost 12) and at Wolf Creek Pass (milepost 19.5) are closed, except for emergency response vehicles. Please avoid the area.

The majority of the area impacted is public, managed by the U.S. Forest Service. However, Wasatch County Public Works, Fire District and the Utah Forestry and State Lands are assisting.

The weather forecast for the area stated winds were expected to be between 50-60 mph Sunday afternoon.When the fire was reported on September 28 at 3:0 p.m. it was estimated to be at 30 acres. Campers near the area were evacuated.

Aircraft with fire suppression capabilities are on the scene and additional aircraft have been ordered.