Beulah Fire holds at 3,352 acres; crews focus on structure protection in Christmas Meadows

The Beulah Fire is currently 2,953 acres with zero percent containment. Photo: U.S. Forest Service Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Updated 9:28 a.m. 8/12

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — The Beulah Fire burning on the north slope of the Uinta Mountains remains at 3,352 acres with zero percent containment as of Thursday, according to officials with Great Basin Team 4.

Despite its size, incident meteorologists report no significant fire growth in recent days. Most visible smoke is coming from dead and downed vegetation rather than active spread. The cause of the fire, which started Aug. 7, remains under investigation.

Nearly 400 personnel are assigned to the incident, supported by nine helicopters, nine engines, 10 crews, and one bulldozer. Heavy equipment and aerial resources are assisting firefighters working to protect structures in the Christmas Meadows area.

Fire managers have ordered Incident Remote Automated Weather Stations (IRAWS) to improve forecasting and decision-making as crews prepare for incoming weather shifts. Additional firefighting resources are en route.

Closures remain in effect for public and firefighter safety, including trailheads, campgrounds, and other access points in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The closures include:

• Christmas Meadows
• Lily Lake
• North Slope
• East Fork Bear River
• West Fork Blacks Fork
• Middle Fork Blacks Fork
• East Fork Blacks Fork
• Cache
• Highline
• Hell Hole Lake (closed via access from Christmas Meadows; accessible from Gold Hill Road)

A community meeting is scheduled for tonight at 7 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 14864 WY-150 (off Mirror Lake Highway) in Evanston, Wyoming.

The latest closure map and updates are available at U.S. Forest Service’s Beulah Fire page.

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — The Beulah Fire, reported on August 7 in the High Uintas Wilderness, has now burned an estimated 2,953 acres with 0% containment. The cause remains under investigation. As of today, the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 4 has assumed command, bringing total personnel to 304, supported by eight helicopters, five engines, five crews, and one bulldozer.

Officials clarified that the heavy smoke seen yesterday was due to the fire burning through dry, dead fuels in the East Fork of the Bear River drainage, rather than a major expansion of the fire perimeter. Crews have been conducting structural assessments and implementing protection measures, including sprinklers, hose lines, and road access improvements near the Hinckley Scout Camp and Christmas Meadows. Suppression efforts also include clearing vegetation along roadways and identifying natural barriers for potential firelines.

Weather conditions remain warm and dry, with thunderstorms possible starting Wednesday. Drivers on the Mirror Lake Highway should anticipate increased morning and evening traffic from fire crews and are urged to slow down and use headlights for safety.