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DUTCH JOHN, Daggett County — Officials say a fire line has been completed and is now surrounding a wildfire burning near Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
The Memorial Fire was reported about 1:30 p.m. Sunday. As of 9 p.m. it had grown to approximately 75 acres, burning grass and timber in rough terrain about three miles southwest of Dutch John, said Ashley National Forest spokesman Louis Haynes. No injuries were reported.
One end of the fire was burning near U.S. 191 and the other near the water, according to Daggett County Sheriff's spokeswoman Susie Potter. Because of that, officials felt confident about keeping the fire under control even though there had been steady wind in the area.
As of 7 p.m., Potter said several campgrounds were under a voluntary but highly encouraged evacuation order, including the Firefighters Memorial, Deer Run and Cedar Springs Campgrounds and the Cedar Spring Marina.
A statement from the U.S. Forest Service at 9 p.m., however, noted that the Firefighters Memorial Campground, Cedar Springs, and Deer Run Campgrounds were closed to the public.
U.S. 191 was restricted to one lane to allow firefighters access to the area, according to Ashley National Forest spokesman Louis Haynes.
The fire is near large power lines and has knocked out power in homes in The Pines, The Acres and Flaming Gorge Resort, according Haynes. There was no estimate on when power might be restored.
Forty firefighters, five engines and two single-engine air tankers were called to assist in fighting the fire.
There was no immediate word on what may have sparked the wildfire.
