Single Publication

Yellow Lake Fire 
Incident Update October 16, 2024

Size at time of update: 32,919
Containment: 29%
Personnel: 779
Start: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Cause: Undetermined
Location: 10 miles southeast of Francis, Utah

An “incident specific” Red Flag Warning is in effect over the Yellow Lake Fire from noon-6:00 p.m. today due to critically dry fuels and weather conditions.  Wind, rain, snow, freezing temperatures and thunderstorms with dynamic downburst winds will test the fire perimeter. 

Fire managers say the biggest concern is the northwest corner of the fire. Aircraft equipped with infrared technology flew the fire last night and detected intense heat around the “nose” of the fire that extends toward Iron Mine Road. Heat was also detected near Iron Mine Lake and may have crept around rock formations above the lake. 

Owners of the Soapstone Summer Homes near Mirror Lake Highway, SR 150 were escorted into the fire closure area early yesterday.  Homeowners were able to retrieve personal items and prepare private property for expected freezing temperatures. 

Moderate fire behavior was observed overnight within the fire perimeter on the northeast corner near the Wasatch/Duchesne County line.  Night crews responded to the central unburned portion of the fire perimeter referred to as the “donut hole.”  Three engines and a crew responded to fire activity in this area containing slash piles and logging decks (piles of cut trees that have been stacked). Crews were able to save most of the logging decks, however, one was consumed by flames. 

The southern perimeter remains intact with direct and indirect lines, where winds have been favorable this week. Crews observed a few “glows” on the west side last night as interior fuels burned. 

Fire impact on watersheds and water quality is being prioritized and mitigated across the entire burn area.  Drainage control measures will be implemented to help offset erosion and sedimentation that could originate from the burn scar during periods of heavy precipitation. 

A Red Flag Warning will also be in effect across western Utah today. 

Forest Closures: All evacuation orders and closures remain in effect. 

• Updated October 11, 2024, a closure has been increased on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest due to the Yellow Lake Fire. This Order shall remain in effect until October 31, 2024, unless rescinded.
  https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1208350.pdf
• Updated October 11, 2024, a closure has been increased on the Ashley National Forest due to the Yellow Lake Fire. This closure will remain in place through December 31, 2024, or until rescinded, for public safety.

Evacuation Areas: The North and West Forks of the Duchesne River, and Granddaddy Lakes area are under a mandatory GO evacuation meaning all residents, hunters, and recreationists must leave and stay out of the area. Hanna is under a SET order, advising residents to have bags packed and be prepared to evacuate if necessary. 

For updated evacuation zones, please visit: 

https://emergency-management-operations-wasatch.hub.arcgis.com/

https://tricountyemergencyalert.genasys.com/portal/en

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1208878.pdf