Yellow Lake Fire triples in size, further growth expected

UINTA WASATCH CACHE NATIONAL FOREST, Utah (KUTV) – The Yellow Lake fire more than tripled in size on Saturday and is expected to spread even further on Sunday.

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest officials reported that winds of 40 miles per hour combined with extremely dry conditions fueled the fire's rapid spread. As of 10:30 a.m. Oct. 6, the fire had grown to 15,106 acres and had 7% containment.

As of 7 p.m., the fire had reached 15,891 acres and was 7% contained.

The eastern and southern edge of the fire is still spreading, with further growth expected due to high temperatures and low humidity.

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459 firefighters are currently on site and are working to contain the fire in the areas best suited for extinguishing operations. On Saturday, the fire spread to the Heart Lake area and crews will maintain operations along Mill Hollow Road.

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued Saturday for the North and West Branches of the Duchesne River, asking residents, hunters and recreationalists to avoid the area. A READY order has been issued for the Grandaddy Lakes area of ​​the Ashley National Forest along with Hanna, requiring residents to pack evacuation bags for immediate departure if necessary.

Amy Dobson, who works at the Hanna Hilton Cafe in Hanna, said she was prepared in case she had to evacuate.

“I always have a travel bag in my Jeep,” she said.

The store is located on State Road 35. Fire last Saturday shut down part of the road and it remains closed.

“It (business) is drastically slow,” Dobson said. “We were supposed to be pretty busy yesterday morning since the hunt opened. I had no customers at all.”

Despite the setback, Dobson is more concerned about the well-being of people and their homes as the community is currently under evacuation.

“It's the first stage where we're just asking people to be prepared. Maybe you have your bags packed and all the medications you need for a week or two ready,” said Brian Trick of the Type 3 Fire Department.

Trick explained that Sunday morning's light winds temporarily slowed the fire's growth, but by the afternoon the winds picked up and fire activity increased.

“The debate is whether October is the new September. Typically at this time, large fires and major incidents are either extinguished by the weather itself or we simply don't see them. “That’s unusual,” Trick said.

“I don't want it to come to that. I don't want anyone to get hurt or anything. “I want them to get it out as quickly as possible,” Dobson added.

The fire department would like to remind residents that if they are asked to evacuate, they should do so.

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