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DUCHESNE COUNTY - The Church Camp Fire has destroyed 12 structures and an estimated 4,000 acres since Sunday.
Fire officials are calling the danger "extreme." High winds and temperatures made for an uphill battle Wednesday. Now that the fire has moved from Argyle Canyon into Indian Canyon, firefighters could face a whole new challenge.
Oil and gas well sit near the bottom of Indian Canyon about ten miles north of where the fire is currently burning. If the flames reach that area, the results could be catastrophic.
"The fire is moving... in the general area of the closest well," said Peter Goetzinger of John Kidd's Type II Team.
Officials with Berry Petroleum, the company that owns the wells, have been in contact with firefighters.
"The initial contact has been made," said Goetzinger. "We know they need 24 hours to shut them down."
The wells are all on Forest Service land and are required to meet specific construction requirements.
"That pad, as part of their permit, needs to be devoid of vegetation," said Louis Haynes, spokesman for Ashley National Forest. "It needs to be policed up so there's... no fuel there for the fire."
Although the Church Camp Fire is still burning out of control, fire officials are taking steps to protect the wells and other structures in Indian Canyon.
"We are definitely going to work on that side of the fire," said Goetzinger. "We're hoping our efforts will be successful."
At least two teams of firefighters are expected to spend the night on the fire line. This will allow them to wake up early Thursday to hit the fire while temperatures are low and winds are calm.
