The Yellow Lake Fire has burned 32,919 acres of Utah’s Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and is at 29% containment as of Wednesday morning, officially making it the state’s largest wildfire of the season.
The fire triggered mandatory Level 3 (Go) evacuation orders for all residents, hunters, and recreationists in the North and West Forks of Duchesne River and the Granddaddy Lakes area. A Level 2 (Set) order is in place for the community of Hanna. A widespread closure of the forest is also in effect until fire conditions improve.
Nearly 800 personnel are working the fire as jackpot fuels continue to spread fire growth. A Red Flag Warning was also put into effect for the area until 6 p.m. Wednesday night.
Officials praised previously completed fuel-thinning projects throughout the forest for slowing fire progress and expect coming rain and snow on Thursday to further limit fire growth.
“Fire managers say the biggest concern is the northwest corner of the fire,” Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest officials said in the fire’s Wednesday update. “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.”
A total of 1,219 fires have burned 90,836 acres across Utah in 2024, according to Utah Fire Info. The Yellow Lake Fire is by far the state’s largest fire of the year, followed by the Silver King Fire at 18,222 and the Deer Springs Fire at 11,766. Humans caused 686 fires, whereas 454 fires were confirmed to be naturally caused. The cause of 79 fires have yet to be determined.
