Firefighters are making progress as the Yellow Lake fire grows to over 16,000 acres, evacuation orders remain in effect

On Saturday, October 5, 2024, smoke from the Yellow Lake Fire spreads into low-lying areas of Park City. Photo: Vanessa Conabee

FRANCIS, Utah – Firefighters battling the fire in Duchesne, Summit and Wasatch counties made some progress toward containment despite the fire's continued resistance and significant activity. The fire is now 10% contained and has expanded to 16,053 acres. Crews benefited from a slight change in the weather as winds died down Monday morning, creating a more favorable environment for ground operations.

The decreasing winds have caused an inversion, causing smoke to settle in the valleys and affecting air quality in surrounding areas. While Duchesne will likely remain smoky throughout the day due to light winds from the northwest, air conditions on the Wasatch Back are expected to improve as temperatures rise.

On Monday morning, Park City's AQI was listed on weather apps at 137, but the reading improved to 86, a moderate reading, by the afternoon.

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Evacuation orders remain in effect: A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for the North and West Branches of the Duchesne River, with all residents, hunters and recreationists required to leave the area immediately. A “READY” order is in effect for the Granddaddy Lakes area of ​​Ashley National Forest and Hanna, urging residents to prepare to evacuate if the situation escalates.

Capt. John Crowley of the Duchesne County Sheriff's Office said the area where evacuations are being ordered consists primarily of family vacation homes. Crowley said only two full-time residents have been displaced from the area so far.

“Evacuation is not so much about the fire getting to people, but about the smoke and breathing keeping people out of the area so firefighters can do their jobs,” Crowley said.

As for the area of ​​Duchesne County that has been placed at Level 2, meaning it should prepare for evacuation, Crowley said it all depends on fire conditions.

“If there are strong winds and the fire jumps over (Route) 35 and gets into that area up there, yes, it will be evacuated. And most of that, again, will come from getting firefighters where they're needed to fight fires and protect structures, and also keep the public out of the way,” Crowley said.

Fire safety update: Fire operations focused on several key areas. Responders on the western edge are conducting gunfire operations along Mill Hollow Road with the goal of securing the fire line to Highway 35 and moving further into the interior of the fire. To the north of the fire, firefighters are working in the Soapstone area, establishing fire lines and employing fire strategies where possible.

On the east flank, the fire continues to burn high along a ridge and crews are focused on protecting structures along the north and west reaches of the Duchesne River. Air assets also support these crews with targeted drops of fire retardant to limit the spread of lighter fuels. In addition, the use of bulldozers to reinforce existing firebreaks is being considered.

The southern edge of the fire posed significant safety concerns and forced crews to retreat. Firefighters are now looking for areas to set up indirect lines that will allow them to safely reach the fire. At the southwest corner, near Heart Lake, successful firings were conducted to reduce unburned fuel.

Authorities are urging residents to follow evacuation orders for their own safety and the safety of emergency responders.

Previous updates and coverage of the Yellow Lake Fire

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