Ash falling from the sky throughout the Uintah Basin and beyond was evidence of the devastation at hand as the Dollar Ridge Fire spread on Monday. The fire began on Sunday about 4.5 miles southeast of Strawberry Reservoir and quickly made its way into Duchesne County. It was reported
Sunday night at 1500
acres but on Monday was reported to have spread to more than 30,000 acres.
On Monday afternoon
, the Duchesne County Commission ordered an IMMEDIATE EVACUATION beginning at the Wasatch-Duchesne County line headed east towards Fruitland. Utah Fire Info shared that the fire was impacting structures near Currant Creek. Evacuees were directed to the Fruitland LDS Church with a secondary shelter set up at Duchesne High School. Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office made it clear that ignoring the evacuation is a violation of state law punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine of $1,000 dollars with violations being strictly enforced. As of
10:00pm on Monday night
, all mandatory evacuations remained in place and no one was allowed to enter the areas on evacuation order. The LDS church in Fruitland filled up and people were sent to Duchesne High School for shelter. The Duchesne County Fairgrounds were opened up for animals of displaced families.
