East Fork Fire: Aerial resources continued supporting suppression operations yesterday. Ground crews directed helicopter water bucket drops on hot spots along the fire perimeter. Crews continued line construction from Moon Lake Road to Rock Creek Road and containment increased to 18%. Warmer temperatures and low humidity increased fire activity, notably west of Moon Lake and north of Twin Pots Reservoir

Center Creek Trail Fire: Helicopters continued dropping water on hotspots on the southeast portion of the fire yesterday. The Center Creek Trail Fire is showing limited fire behavior and currently poses no threat of moving south towards the wilderness boundary.

Closures: Closures are in effect for the Ashley National Forest and on Uintah and Ouray Tribal Lands. Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office has closed county roads in and near the fire area.

All closures are posted at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7052/.

Closure Map: https://go.usa.gov/xG8PW

Today’s Operations: Assuming favorable conditions, burning operations on the southeast fire perimeter may begin west of Moon Lake Road and north of Bear Hollow Road. By slowly introducing fire, low to moderate fire behavior can produce desirable fire effects and increase firefighter safety along the established and well-prepared road system on Moon Lake Road and Bear Hollow Road. Further west, helitack crews will guide helicopter water buckets on isolated hotspots as crews implement preparation activities on Rock Creek Road near Upper Stillwater Reservoir. Team 7’s long term strategy to contain all fire outside the wilderness continues.

Weather: Today’s temperatures will rise to about 72 degrees, about 3-4 degrees higher than yesterday, continuing an upward warming trend. Correspondingly, relative humidities are declining and fire behavior is becoming more active. Large heavy fuels continue to burn, and grass and shrubs are becoming more receptive to fire. Today’s burning operations will produce additional smoke, visible in surrounding communities. Weather tonight will be in the low 40s with steady north/northwest winds of 7-10 mph and gusts to 15 mph.

Resources: 4 Helicopters, 23 Engines, 1 Hotshot crew, 1 Type 2 Initial Attack handcrew, 2 dozers and 3 Wildland Fire Modules. Currently 259 firefighters are assigned to the East Fork Fire. The Center Creek Trail Fire has 23 firefighters assigned.

East Fork Fire: Clear skies on Friday allowed aerial resources to be utilized for suppression operations. Ground crews directed helicopter water bucket drops on hot spots along the fire perimeter. Clear skies, combined with warmer temperatures, increased fire activity, where crews completed prep work on the Yellowstone Road and continued line construction from Moon Lake Road to Rock Creek Road.

Center Creek Trail Fire: Helicopters worked the southeast portion of the fire yesterday, dropping water on hot spots. Tactical operations like this, along with the continued development of defensible space further south, are part of Team 7’s strategy.

Closures: Closures are in effect for the Ashley National Forest and on Uintah and Ouray Tribal Lands. Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office has closed county roads in and near the fire area.

• All closures are posted at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7052/.
• Closure Map: https://go.usa.gov/xG8PW

Today’s Operations: On the East Fork Fire, crews will clear vegetation to create defensible space along the Stillwater trail system and Rock Creek Road from Rock Creek Campground to upper Stillwater Reservoir. Along the southeast fire perimeter crews continue building direct and indirect handline from Twin Pots Reservoir to Rock Creek Road. Further south, firefighters are preparing contingency lines from Bear Wallow Road to Pigeon Wallow Road. Significant heat remains throughout the fire area as heavy fuels continue to burn, creating visible smoke in the coming days.

Weather: Today’s temperatures will be 4-6 degrees higher than yesterday, up to 67 degrees. As temperatures continue to increase, relative humidities will decline and fire behavior will become more active. Large heavy fuels continue to burn, and grass and shrubs are becoming more receptive to fire. Weather tonight will be in the low 40s with steady north/northwest winds of 7-10 mph and gusts to 15 mph.

Safety: The public is asked to respect road and area closures. Please drive with caution as firefighters are working in the area and smoke reduces visibility. Drones are hazardous to fire aviation assets and are not permitted in the fire area. Remember: If you fly, we can’t. Firefighter and public safety are the highest priority for Great Basin Team 7.

Resources: 4 Helicopters, 23 Engines, 1 Hotshot crew, 1 Type 2 Initial Attack handcrew, 2 dozers and 2 Wildland Fire Modules. Currently 259 firefighters are assigned to the East Fork Fire. The Center Creek Trail Fire has 23 firefighters assigned.

Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Travis L Tucker
ROAD CLOSURES
September 11, 2020 4:00 p.m.

Due to the East Fork Fire the following roads are closed by order of the sheriff’s office: CR #114 and CR#113 North of Mountain Home to Moon Lake and the Yellowstone Campground CR#95 from Mountain Home to Rock Creek CR#8 Hanna to Blind Stream We ask the public to respect the road and area closures. Public safety and Firefighters are working in the area to open the closures as soon as possible.

Travis Tucker Sheriff c ●P.O. Box 985• Duchesne, Utah 84021• Tel: (435)738-2015• Fax: (435)738-2637●

East Fork Fire: Fire behavior continues to be moderated by continued lower temperatures. Heavy fuels continue to burn south of Moon Lake and other areas along the fire perimeter. Crews made good progress on containment line between Moon Lake Road and Rock Creek Road.

Center Creek Trail Fire: The Center Creek Trail Fire remains high-up in the wilderness. Team 7 is implementing a suppression strategy that focuses on creating defensible space around infrastructure along Yellowstone Road and continues preparations should the fire threaten to leave the wilderness.

Evacuations: Evacuations are in place for Rock Creek Road and Moon Lake Road. Visit InciWeb for evacuation updates: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7052/

Closures: Closures are in effect for the Ashley National Forest and the Uintah  and Ouray Tribal lands. Information posted at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7052/55389/.

Today’s Operations: On the East Fork Fire, crews will continue building indirect handline along the southern perimeter from Twin Pots Reservoir to Rock Creek Road. Further south, firefighters are preparing contingency lines from Bear Wallow Road to Pigeon Wallow Road. On the west side of the fire crews are clearing brush along the Miners Gulch Trail. Along Yellowstone Road, crews are making good progress creating defensible space around infrastructure by removing vegetation. Road crews are working to improve access for fire crews. Significant heat remains throughout the fire area as heavy fuels continue to burn.

Weather: Today begins a warming trend as temperatures will be 15 to 20 degrees higher than yesterday. As temperatures continue to increase, fire behavior will become more active. Large heavy fuels will continue to burn, and grass and shrubs will become more receptive to fire. Weather tonight will be in the mid to upper 30s with steady north winds of 10 - 15 mph and gusts to  22 mph.

Resources: 4 Helicopters, 22 Engines, 1 Hotshot crew, 1 Type 2 Initial Attack handcrew, 2 dozers and 2 Wildland Fire Modules. Currently 251 firefighters are assigned to the East Fork Fire. The Center Creek Trail Fire has 29 firefighters assigned.

East Fork Fire
Location: 13 miles north of Hanna, UT
Approximate Acreage: 44,238
Containment: 15%
Total Personnel: 203 

Center Creek Trail Fire
Location: 5 miles NE of Moon Lake in the High Uintas Wilderness
Approximate Acreage: 1,120
Containment: 0%
Total Personnel: 22

East Fork Fire: Fire behavior was moderated by continued lower temperatures, lower winds, and moisture. Crews made good progress on the containment line between Moon Lake Road and Rock Creek Road. Fire that spotted over Rock Creek Road has been contained.

Center Creek Trail Fire: The Center Creek Trail Fire remains high-up in the wilderness. Team 7 is implementing a suppression strategy that focuses on creating defensible space around infrastructure along Yellowstone Road and continues preparations should the fire threaten to leave the wilderness.

Evacuations: Evacuations are in place for Rock Creek Road, Moon Lake Road and Yellowstone Road. Visit InciWeb for evacuation updates: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7052/

Closures: Closures are in effect for the Ashley National Forest and the Uintah  and Ouray Tribal lands. Information posted at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7052/55389/.

Today’s Operations: On the East Fork Fire, crews will continue building direct handline along the southern perimeter from Twin Pots Reservoir to Rock Creek Road. Further south, firefighters are preparing contingency lines from Bear Wallow Road to Pigeon Wallow Road. Along Yellowstone Road, crews are creating defensible space around infrastructure by removing vegetation. Significant heat remains throughout the fire area as heavy fuels continue to burn.

Weather: Continued cooler weather with the possibility of light rain or snow will moderate fire behavior today. Snow is expected above 9,000 feet with the possibility of a half inch accumulation. Weather tonight will be in the mid to upper 20s with steady north winds of 8-10 mph and gusts to 17 mph.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE
ORDER: TEMPORARY TRAIL CLOSURE
East Fork and Center Creek Trail Fire Closure Order Order Number 0401-20-05
EXEMPTIONS:
AREA DESCRIBED:
ASHLEY NATIONAL FOREST 
 
 
PROHIBITIONS:
   
Pursuant to title 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b), the following act is prohibited within the area described by this order, all within the Duchesne Ranger District, Ashley National Forest until notice to end.
    
Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 (e), the following persons are exempt from this order:
 Persons with special use authorization or other Forest Service authorization.
Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
Federal or State administrative personnel in the performance of an official duty.
Everything within the boundary described. Starting from the Forest Boundary intersection with the Blind Stream Road Forest Service Road (FSR) 135, to Rock Creek Road FSR 143, up South For of Rock Creek to the Wilderness Boundary, to Mill Flatt Trail along the boundary of the Ashley and Uintah-Wasatch-Cache National Forest to Red Knob Pass along Forest Service Trail FST 025 and Lake Fork River transitioning to FST 061 to East Slide Lake. Moving directly west to Swasey Lakes, then northwest to Yellowstone Creek Trail FST 057, up Milk Creek trail FST 055, around the Timothy Lake Basin North of Upper Carroll Lake, southeast to Mount Emmet, around the ridge to FST 055, along FST 055 to Limekiln Spring Road FST 123, to Yellowstone River Road FSR124, to the Forest Boundary to the intersection of Forest Boundary and the Yellowstone River Road and back along the Forest Boundary to intersection of Blind Stream Road and the Forest Boundary. (Exhibit 1).
 
Road Closures will be in effect on the Blind Stream Road Forest Service Road FSR 135 beginning at the Forest boundary north of Hannah, Utah to the intersection of the Blindstream Road, Rock Creek Road FSR 134, then south along the Rock Creek Road to the intersection with Forest Service Road 198, at the Lower Stillwater Ponds Picnic Area, the Moon Lake Road FSR 131 starting at the Forest Boundary, the Hells Canyon Road FSR 227, Yellowstone Road Creek Road FSR 124 and all associated secondary roads within the area closure.

PURPOSE:
For the purpose of public health and safety due to wildfire 36 CFR 261.53 (e).
 

Susan Eickhoff /s/
Forest Supervisor
Ashley National Forest 

Quick Fire Facts
East Fork Fire

• Fire Location: 13 miles north of Hanna, UT
• Acreage: 49,936
• Containment: 15%
• Start Date: August 21, 2020
• Cause: Natural - lightning

• Fire Location: 5 miles northeast of Moon Lake in the High Uintas Wilderness
• Acreage: 1,120
• Containment: 0%
• Cause: Natural - Lightning

 
Center Creek Trail Fire: The Center Creek Trail Fire remains high-up in the wilderness. Team 7 is implementing a suppression strategy that focuses on creating defensible space around infrastructure along Yellowstone Road and continues preparations should the fire threaten to leave the wilderness.

Evacuations: Evacuations are in place for Rock Creek Road, Moon Lake Road and Yellowstone Road. Visit InciWeb for evacuation updates: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7052/
 
Closures: Closures are in effect for the Ashley National Forest and the Uintah and Ouray tribal lands. Information posted at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/ashley
 
Today’s Operations: On the East Fork Fire, crews will establish a direct handline along the southern perimeter to from Twin Pots Reservoir to Rock Creek Road. Firefighters are also constructing direct handline along Rock Creek Road to contain fire that crossed the road. Along Yellowstone Road, crews are creating defensible space around infrastructure by removing vegetation. Significant heat remains throughout the fire area as heavy fuels continue to burn.
 
Weather: Continued cooler weather with the possibility of light rain or snow will moderate fire behavior today. Weather tonight will be in the mid to upper 20s with steady north winds of 8-10 mph and gusts to 17 mph.
 
Safety: The public is asked to respect road and area closures. Please drive with caution as firefighters are working in the area and smoke reduces visibility. Firefighter and public safety are the highest priority for Great Basin Team 7.
 
Resources: 4 Helicopters, 11 Engines, 1 Hotshot crew, 1 Type 2 Initial Attack handcrew, and 2 Wildland Fire Modules. Currently 174 firefighters are assigned to the East Fork Fire. The Center Creek Trail Fire has 34 firefighters assigned. 
 
Online Links:

The following areas have been evacuated and closed to the public:
-Blind Stream Forest Service Road (FSR) #135 and Rock Creek area FSR #134.
-Yellowpine, Miners Gulch and Rock Creek Campgrounds.
-Moon Lake area FSR #131
-Moon Lake Campground and Lodge.
-Swift Creek drainage FSR #124.

Center Creek Trail Fire: The Center Creek Trail Fire, east of the East Fork Fire, remains high up in the wilderness. Crews are developing a strategy to keep the fire in the wilderness and away from infrastructure.

Evacuations: Evacuations are in place for Swift Creek Drainage west to the Moon Lake area. Visit InciWeb for evacuation updates:

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7052/

Closures: Closures are in effect for the High Uintas Wilderness. Information posted at https://www.fs.usda.gov/ashley

Today’s Operations: Crews will work to establish line along the southern and southeast fire perimeter to reduce the fire spread toward critical infrastructure. Containing the spread that occurred over the Rock Creek Road will be a priority. Aerial support is not expected today due to high winds, rain, and heavy smoke, though they are on standby if an opportunity occurs. Crews are establishing hose lays in and around campgrounds and other infrastructure.

Weather: Unusually strong winds out of the north-northeast are expected today – winds 25-35 mph and gusts up to 60 mph. Lower temperatures and possible snow/rain today could help reduce fire activity. Weather tonight will dip down toward 20 degrees with steady NE winds of 15-20 mph and gusts to 25 mph.

Safety: The public is asked to obey closures. Please drive with caution as firefighters are working in the area and smoke reduces visibility. Firefighter and public safety are the number one objectives of Great Basin Team 7.

FACT SHEET

EAST FORK FIRE
Brenda Bushell, Public Information Officer

Contact: 435-640-5301

Email: 2020.eastfork@firenet.gov

East Fork Fire – Update September 6, 2020

Start: August 21, 2020

Location: 13 miles north of Hanna, UT in the Rock Creek drainage north of Upper Stillwater Reservoir.

Cause: Natural – lightning

Size: 5,061 acres

Containment: 22%

Fuels: Upper elevations consist of heavy timber with a large component of dead trees due to beetle infestation. Lower elevation consists of grass and sagebrush with mix of Juniper and Aspen. 

Closures:  Area closure in place in the High Uintas Wilderness Area (HUW) for firefighter and public safety. Beginning at the western edge of the Lake Fork Trail (Forest Service Trail (FST) 061) near Moon Lake at the intersection of the Highline Trail (FST 025), then Northwest along the Highline Trail to the Ashley National Forest boundary within the HUW, then West and South following the Ashley National Forest Boundary to the Southern boundary of the HUW, then East along the Southern boundary of the HUW to the beginning at the intersection of the Lake Fork Trail and the Southern boundary of the HUW. The Lake Fork Trail is not included in this closure.

Road Closures: The Blind stream Road (Forest Service Road (FSR) 135) beginning at the junction of FSR 215 ending at the junction with Rock Creek Road FSR 134.  Rock Creek Road FSR134 beginning north of the Yellowpine Campground entrance ending at the terminus of the Upper Stillwater Dam Road.

Trail closure: Rock Creek Trail FST184 from Yellowpine Campground to the Stillwater Dam.

Pre-Evacuations is in effect this morning in the Rock Creek area, Yellowpine, Miners Gulch and Rock Creek campground.  Winds yesterday pushed the fire to the south in the Rock Creek drainage and may impact the campground today.  Please stay out of the closure area so that firefighters can complete operations

Fire was very active yesterday with North, Northwest winds with gusts of winds up to 22mp.  A growth of 910 acres bringing the total acreage to 5,061. Containment remains at 22%. Warm dry winds and extremely low relative humidity (RH) will continue through today.  The fire is following the Rock Creek drainage to the North, past Francis and Slide Lakes.  

A Red Flag Warning has been issues for the area thru Monday at 9 pm.  A Red Flag Warning is in place and indicates weather conditions with warm temperatures, strong winds and low relative humidity.  This will contribute to extreme fire behavior. 

Today crews will continue to secure the south end of the fire near the wilderness boundary.  Helicopter operations will continue to be utilized in the Cabin Lake area to slow the fire spread from moving up and over Tworoose Pass into the Brown Duck Basin. 

The Phinney Lake Fire continued to burn through dead and down beetle kill trees.  Fire is continuing to burn down into the Northeast drainage of Fall Creek towards East Fork.  The current acreage is 1,039, a growth of 643 acres from yesterday. 

Assigned Resources:  3 Helicopters, 5 Engines, 1 Hotshot Crew, 1 Wildland Fire Module, currently 90 firefighters are assigned to the East Fork Fire 

Due to the use of helicopters to monitor the fires in the area a temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area.  This will restrict the use of drones within the fire area please do not use drones.  If you fly we can’t.