Wildfire near Utah-Wyoming border threatening 140 homes; FEMA steps in to help


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UINTA COUNTY, Wyo. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Friday it will step in to assist the fight against a wildfire raging near the Utah-Wyoming border and threatening about 140 homes.

The blaze, dubbed the Tokawana Fire, grew to about 750 acres by Friday afternoon near the Meeks Cabin Reservoir that straddles both states. It remained zero percent contained and was also threatening a cell tower and water supplies in the area, according to FEMA spokesman Randy Welch.

Mandatory evacuations are in place in some areas surrounding the fire, including the threatened homes and the Uinta County (Wyoming) Youth Camp, Welch said.

FEMA will fund up to 75 percent of the costs associated with combatting the blaze. Welch said in a statement that such funds are authorized only for fires "that threaten to cause a major disaster."

The northwest-moving fire is burning through timber and sagebrush, mostly on private land.

Several aircraft joined ground crews in fighting the fire Friday, said Tony Brown, spokesman for the Bureau of Land Management's Wyoming High Desert District. Wyoming state Routes 271 and 410 remained closed to traffic because of heavy smoke, Brown said.

The U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming State Forestry Division and Uinta County authorities are all coordinating with each other to manage the fire.

Brown cautioned residents, visitors and onlookers to stay well clear of the fire, which he said could be "unpredictable" in the event of high winds.

The cause of the fire remained unknown Friday, though investigators had arrived on scene. Anyone with information about how it may have ignited is asked to call Kevin Cahill, a BLM fire management officer, at 307-352-0236.

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Ben Lockhart

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