Crews working toward full suppression on human-caused Yellow Lake Fire

The Yellow Lake Fire burning in the night on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. The human-caused fire has grown to more than 2,400 acres since it started on Saturday in the Uintas. Photo: Published with permission

Officials say there are now 330 personnel on the scene, staging a full-suppression effort out of nearby Francis. The fire remains 0% contained.

WASATCH COUNTY, Utah – The Yellow Lake Fire saw increased fire activity throughout the day, Tuesday, U.S. Forest Service officials report. The human-caused forest fire was reported on Saturday, Sept. 28 and it has grown to over 2,400 acres, burning in pockets of standing timber and among deadfall in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest east of Mill Hollow Reservoir.

Officials say there are now 330 personnel on the scene, staging a full-suppression effort out of nearby Francis. The fire remains 0% contained.

U.S. Forest Service public information officer Sierra Hellstrom said often times when a fire is naturally started firefighters will let it burn and manage the fire as there are many ecological benefits. In this case however, the fire was human caused – the details are still under investigation – and Hellstrom said due to current forest conditions and unknown factors crews are working toward full suppression. That means firefighting crews and resources are being deployed to completely extinguish the fire as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Full suppression is typically used when there is a high risk to populated areas, critical infrastructure, or valuable natural resources.

On Monday night, crews began structure protection at the YMCA camp and near a gas pipeline, using machinery to remove available combustible material, like trees and downfall to create a barrier to slow the spread of the wildfire.

Flying embers have caused the fire to spot on the southern end near Heart Lake. The area closure has been extended north of the West Fork of the Duchesne Ridge (FS 050 road), at North Mill Hollow Road (FS 054 Road) on the west side and Highway 35 on the east side.

U.S. Forest Service officials say the fire is burning slowly down the south face of Highway 35 on the northern perimeter. The western edge saw minimal growth, as crews continue to manage the fire in that area with machinery and by hand. The eastern side is mostly holding at the gas pipeline with a few minor spots crews have been able to catch so far.