Single Publication

Size at time of update: 33,041 Acres
Containment: 41%
Personnel: 220
Start: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Cause: Human Caused (Under Investigation)
Location: 10 miles southeast of Francis, Utah

The weather around the Yellow Lake Fire is in a warming and drying trend through today. While this may dry out vegetation, it also improves ground and road conditions, allowing crews and heavy equipment to work in areas recovering from the recent snow and rain. Firefighters are prioritizing work in smoldering areas with concentrated areas of fuel buildup along on the north side, specifically near Lambert Hollow. 

On the south side, crews are securing the remaining uncontrolled edge around Tim’s Hole. Once completed, the entire length of Duchesne Ridge will be contained, meaning fire managers are confident the fire will not burn beyond this control line.  

The unburned center of the fire referred to as the “Donut Hole,” continues to be intentionally protected from fire. This area holds both equipment and commercial resources.  Resource advisors and fire managers are working to find options for loggers to safely remove log decks and equipment. The edge of the Donut Hole counts towards the total perimeter of the Yellow Lake Fire, as well as containment percentage.  

Much of the effort of the fire has shifted to suppression repair. Crews will be today working to repair a long bulldozer line dug as a secondary line of defense along the West Fork of the Duchesne. Suppression repair crews are also working on the northside of the fire.  In total, 26 miles of dozer line and 13 miles of hand line were constructed during while fighting the fire. A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team arrives today to begin prioritizing the suppression repair before winter weather arrives.   

Forest Closures:  

• Updated October 18, 2024, the Yellow Lake Fire closure area has been reduced on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. This Order shall remain in effect until November 25, 2024, unless rescinded. 
  https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/uwcnf/alerts-notices 
   
• Updated October 19, 2024, the Yellow Lake Fire closure area has been reduced on the Ashley National Forest. This closure will remain in place through December 31, 2024, or until rescinded. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ashley/alerts-notices 

For Evacuation Information:  

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

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