Dennis Burns gives the fire update for Yellow Lake Fire, Oct. 15, 2024. Photo: Ashley National Forest // Facebook

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — Firefighters battling the Yellow Lake Fire are making headway despite challenging weather conditions, officials reported Tuesday.

The blaze, which has consumed over 31,000 acres, is now 29% contained, according to Dennis Burns, Fire Behavioral Analyst for California Interagency Incident Management Team Two.

“We’ve got two more days of critical fire weather conditions, and then we’re going to see a significant weather change,” Burns said. “We’re talking about even getting snow on the fire.”

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The fire, which has disrupted cell service in the area since Monday evening, continues to pose challenges across multiple divisions:

– In the West Fork of the Duchesne area, crews are working to extinguish remaining hot spots.
– Along Highway 150 near the Provo River, firefighters are leveraging favorable conditions as the fire backs down from ridge lines into areas with reduced fuel.
– Near Soapstone and Iron Mine Lake communities, the fire’s intensity has diminished due to fuel treatments, though it remains a primary concern.
– In the North Fork of the Duchesne, the fire is moving as planned, allowing for effective structure protection.

Burns noted that aircraft support has been particularly effective in areas where forest thinning has occurred. “The water and retardant that they drop can get through that canopy and get down on the surface and deal with the surface fire,” he explained.

Crews are also establishing contingency lines and employing direct tactics with hotshot teams in some areas. The use of logging equipment, including feller bunchers, is aiding efforts in steeper terrain south of Highway 35.

Officials expect to make significant progress in containment over the next two days, ahead of the anticipated weather shift and snowfall to the region.

Previous Yellow Lake Fire Updates available here.