Activity of the East Fork Fire is increasing and grew 5,650 acres on Saturday alone. Ashley National Forest reports that as of Saturday night, the fire has reached 6,500 acres with no containment. It is burning in heavy timber on the Duchesne-Roosevelt Ranger District of the Ashley National Forest. “The East Fork Fire grew to the North and East [Saturday] with Extreme Uphill Runs, Running and Group Torching observed during the burning period in heavy timber,” shares Ashley National Forest. “A Type 2 Fire Management Team arrived [Saturday] evening and will assume control of the fire [Sunday] morning at 6 a.m. on August 23, 2020. Evacuations of hikers from the closed portion of the High Uintas Wilderness Area to the west of the Lake Fork Trail (Forest Service Trail 061) which includes Brown Duck Basin and Grandaddy Basin was successful today and will continue tomorrow to identify and assist hikers in exiting the closed area. Currently there are 138 firefighters assigned to the East Fork Fire, including three hand crews, four helicopters and three engines. An expanded closure area has been announced that includes all of the High Uintas Wilderness Area west of the Lake Fork Trail and High Line Trail to the Ashley National Forest Boundary. The Lake Fork Trail is not included in this closure. The Highline Trail is closed in sections within the closure area. The Blindstream Road will be closed at the Forest boundary north of Hannah, Utah. The Rock Creek Road will be closed at the intersection with FSR 198, the road to Lower Stillwater Ponds Picnic Area.” The Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office also provided an update on Saturday evening asking that the public stay out of the area so firefighters and their equipment can have access to the fire.
