Containment of 3,100-acre Yellow Lake Fire shrinks to 18%

HIGHLAND, Utah – Firefighters in Utah now report that they have lost containment while battling the Yellow Lake Fire. The fire has expanded to 3,112 acres and is currently 18% contained. Previous officials had expected 22% containment, but said the fire's spread had reduced the effectiveness of their efforts.

A red flag warning is also in effect for the region as conditions remain unseasonably warm and dry.

According to officials, the fire on Highway 35 has slowly subsided and crews have been very successful in reducing the unburned fuel between the road and the fire area. This reduces the risk of staining. Burning pieces of the wildfire are carried by the wind into new zones that are not currently affected.

The northwest side of the firefighting effort, in which crews are clearing vegetation and burning the ground to slow the fire's progression, is now complete from the bulldozer lines to the edge of the fire.

Highway 35 will remain closed for 24 to 48 hours until fire activity subsides and the road can be cleared of debris.

Containment was also largely achieved on the southern edge of the fire. Where it is safe to do so, emergency services continue to work into burnt areas to extinguish any hotspots. In areas where conditions are too dangerous to deploy emergency responders, such as the southwest corner of the area, fire managers are discussing conducting future firefighting operations in favorable weather conditions. They hope to minimize the risk to firefighters.

The YMCA camp and ranger station remain safe, according to crews, as the structure is fully protected and sprinklers and hoses are in place for additional defense. Crews say previous logging and thinning of vegetation in the area has improved the structures' ability to defend themselves.

The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache and Ashley National Forests have been officially closed since Thursday. Crews are working to contain the fire within the currently constructed indirect line and the forest closure is for possible fire activity if it crosses the current line. “Given the heavy timber, strong winds and dry conditions, there is a possibility that the fire could spread across great distances, as has already happened with this fire. Forest managers want to ensure they take a conservative approach to predicted weather, red flag warnings and unusually dangerous conditions to ensure the safety of the public and firefighters,” crews stated in a news release.

The fire was determined to be human-caused but remains under investigation. There are still no reportable accidents or injuries and no buildings or recreational vehicles have been lost.

423 people are responsible for fighting the Yellow Lake Fire.