Officials estimate 90 homes destroyed near Dollar Ridge Fire; US 40 closed, evacuations remain

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SALT LAKE CITY — Fire officials upped the estimate of homes damaged or destroyed by the massive Dollar Ridge Fire near Strawberry Reservoir Thursday, as crews fought the flames for the fifth day.

The fire has burned 42,000 acres and damaged an estimated 90 structures, fire officials said.

Hundreds of people remain evacuated.

U.S. 40 is closed in both directions for about 42 miles between Duchesne and Wasatch counties. The closure extends from the Aspen Grove campground to just west of Duchesne, according to Utah Fire Info. Motorists are asked to use state Route 35 or U.S. 191 as alternate routes.

Thursday, 10:09pm

Brush fire south of Saratoga Springs 90 percent contained

Thursday, 09:14pm

Fire along north fork of Ogden River burns 4 acres in Weber County

A grass fire along the north fork of the Ogden River, northeast of Eden in Weber County, burned four acres before it was quickly contained on Thursday evening.

Thursday, 08:15pm

Brush fire south of Saratoga Springs contained

A brush fire that broke out on Lake Mountain south of Saratoga Springs has been contained. The fire was reported just before 6 p.m. and burned at least 60 acres, according to fire officials. It started near Sunrise Drive on the south side of Saratoga Springs.

FIRE CONTAINED: Fire is no longer spreading. Crews are working to clean up hotspots and make sure it doesn't flare up again. Big thanks to fire crews and all supporting agencies.
— Saratoga Springs UT (@saratogasprngut) July 6, 2018

Thursday, 07:32pm

Brush fire burns up to 60 acres south of Saratoga Springs, containment unlikely Thursday

A new wildfire sparked Thursday evening west of Utah Lake, burning about 60 acres, or just under a tenth of a square mile as of 7:15 p.m. The fire was reported just before 6 p.m. on Lake Mountain near Sunrise Drive, on the south side of Saratoga Springs. As of 7:15 p.m., no structures were threatened and the winds had died down in the area, according to social media reports from various government agencies. The cause was unknown on Thursday evening and containment may be unlikely overnight, Unified fire officials said on Twitter. At least a dozen brush fire units and crews, including a helicopter, were on scene fighting the blaze. Multiple firefighting agencies were assisting the firefight, including crews from Saratoga Springs, Lehi, Unified fire and Utah County.

Multiple agencies working this fire including @saratogasprngut fire, @lehifiredept, @FireAuthority and Utah County Fire. pic.twitter.com/YOAEeWAdCJ
— Lehi CERT (@LehiCERT) July 6, 2018

Thursday, 06:52pm

Wildfire zone briefly opened to residents to check on homes

FRUITLAND — Hundreds of people chased out of their homes by the Dollar Ridge Fire still did not know whether their homes and cabins were still standing. Thursday morning, for just two hours, some homeowners had a chance to check on their properties and gather up a few more belongings. For the past couple of days, people forced to evacuate their homes have watched the massive fire sweep over their mountain neighborhoods. They wondered about their homes and cabins and hoped for the best. While fire officials have reported as many as 90 homes have been lost, other homeowners got some relief. “It was right on this ridge and coming down over. We had ash come in the yard,“ said Michelle Haddow. When Haddow and Sandy Slaymaker left their home three days ago, the fire was headed their way. They’ve been camping at the evacuation center ever since. “We watched one night and it just looks like a war zone,” she said. “Hotspots, black. I mean, it was horrible.“ Thursday they discovered their home has not been damaged, yet. “Our mountains aren’t going to be the same for a long time, but this is our home. This is what we love this is why we live here,“ she said. Several of their neighbors weren’t so lucky. They lost their homes. “It’s heartbreaking,“ said Haddow.

At the Duchesne end of the Hwy 40 road closure. It’s closed in both directions between milepost 50 and milepost 85. @UDOTTRAFFIC suggests using State Route 35 or US Highway 191 as an alternate route, no current estimate for its reopening.@KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/4TzOO61wFv
— Caitlin Burchill (@newsyCaitlin) July 5, 2018

Property owners were allowed to check in with deputies from the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office at a rest stop on U.S. Highway 40, check on their properties, and check out as they left. They had to be out by 1 p.m. when the winds generally pick up and fan the fire. “I’ve never seen anything like it,“ said Mark George, who has spent a lot of time in this part of the state. “I have never seen such a vicious violent fire anywhere, on TV, or anywhere in my life,“ he said. He and his wife have a second home south of Fruitland and had planned to spend the week until the fire started to threaten their home when it started on Sunday. They spent a nervous night watching the fire creep closer. “At about 12:30 p.m. Monday, we saw the fire come up over the ridge a few miles west of us,“ George said. He said they packed up essentials and readied their home for the fire. Shortly after that, they were escorted out by a couple of sheriff’s deputies. “If we had been in there another hour we may have gotten trapped,“ he said. Fire swept through that area, he said. He still did not know if his home was standing, because he arrived too late Thursday to go in and check on it. Brody Chadwick of Bluebell was surprised to discover his family’s cabin still standing after watching the fire burn to the edge of the property on Tuesday. “It was just completely black with clouds rolling through. It wasn’t good,” he said.

WB traffic on US40 being detoured in Duchesne to US-191 or SR87/SR35 due to #DollarRidgeFire activity in Wasatch County. pic.twitter.com/7wYm6TnyHk
— DuchesneCoSheriff (@DuchesneSheriff) July 5, 2018

He feared his cabin was gone. After seeing it was fine, he feared for his neighbors. “That’s just our cabin,” said Chadwick. “That’s not our home. My grandpa built it from the bottom up. Everybody that’s lost everything on that mountainside – that’s not good.” Nobody KSL spoke with had lost their home, but deputies were only allowing people into areas that were considered safe. Other people jumped in their trucks on the Wasatch Front and raced up U.S. 40 when they saw the posting on the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, saying the area would be opened briefly. By the time they got there, it was too late for some of them to go in. That was frustrating for those people. Some said they will try again on Friday. — Jed Boal, KSL TV

Thursday, 06:26pm

Smoke from Dollar Ridge Fire affecting Kamas Valley, other Summit County areas

Smoke from the Dollar Ridge Fire has reached Kamas Valley and other areas in Summit County, officials said Thursday. The fire is currently burning at 42,000 acres east of Strawberry Reservoir in Duchesne County. Gusting winds pushed heavy smoke from the fire into northeastern Utah, including Summit County, county officials said in an emailed statement. People who experience breathing issues on bad air quality days should use caution, officials said. "Listen to your body. If you notice a headache or shortness of breath stay indoors and avoid both outdoor activities as well as exercise on days when air quality is poor," Phil Bondurant, Summit County Director of Environmental Health said in the statement. People in the Kamas Valley were most heavily affected by the smoke as of Thursday afternoon.

Thursday, 06:24pm

Currant Creek campground north of Strawberry Reservoir evacuated due to Dollar Ridge Fire smoke

#uwcnf as a pre-cautionary measure due to smoke from the #Dollarfire all campers have been asked to leave the Current Creek campground. If you have questions about the campground availability call the Heber office at 435 654 0470
— UintaWasatchCacheNF (@UWCNF) July 6, 2018

Thursday, 06:21pm

Brush fire breaks out near Lake Mountain, south of Saratoga Springs

New wildfire in south Saratoga Springs on Lake Mountain. #utfire pic.twitter.com/PsPT14jp7K
— Lehi CERT (@LehiCERT) July 6, 2018

**Fire Alert** FYI, @FireAuthority and @saratogasprngut crews are responding to a brush fire on Lake Mountain in the area of Sunrise Dr. in Saratoga Springs, west of Redwood Rd. We will provide updates as warranted.
— Eagle Mountain City (@eaglemtncity) July 6, 2018

Thursday, 05:31pm

Fire contained after 6 homes evacuated due to Ogden Valley wildfire

A 10-acre fire along the north fork of the Ogden River forced evacuations of six homes before it was contained on Thursday, officials said. The fire burned near 6750 N. 2100 East, about 4 miles northwest of Liberty in Weber County.

#NorthForkFire 100% contained, evacuations lifted. Great job @WeberFireDist and Wasatch Helitack
— BeReadyWeber (@BeReadyWeber) July 5, 2018

Thursday, 04:14pm

Dollar Ridge Fire officials estimate 90 homes destroyed, 1,000 more threatened

An estimated 1,000 homes are threatened by the Dollar Ridge Fire, and 1,100 people have been evacuated, according to fire officials. Fire officials are estimating that as many as 90 homes, and possibly more, have been destroyed in the fire, according to Dollar Ridge Fire public information officer Brian Harris. The fire is also threatening oil, natural gas and power infrastructure, Harris said. All areas south of Highway 40 from Strawberry Reservoir in the west to Starvation Reservoir in the east are under a mandatory evacuation order, according to Utah fire officials. The highway remains closed from milepost 44, at Strawberry Reservoir, to milepost 80, near Freedom Bridge. The Beaver Canyon and Timber Canyon subdivisions also are under evacuation orders, as well as all areas east of Lower Creek Road and North of Strawberry River. The American Red Cross has set up a shelter at Duchesne High School. Tents and RVs are allowed at the high school, officials said. A pet shelter also is operating at the Duchesne County Fairgrounds for pets and livestock.

Thursday, 03:48pm

Dollar Ridge Fire in Duchesne County expected to keep growing

The Dollar Ridge Fire is expected to continue growing again on Thursday afternoon, according to an emailed statement from Utah fire officials. The fire is about 42,000 acres and is just 4 percent contained, officials said. Most increased fire activity is expected in the north, along U.S. Highway 40. All areas south of Highway 40 from Strawberry Reservoir in the west to Starvation Reservoir in the east are under a mandatory evacuation order, according to fire officials. The highway remains closed from milepost 44, at Strawberry Reservoir, to milepost 80, near Freedom Bridge. A community meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Duchesne County High School Auditorium, 155 West Main Street in Duchesne. The meeting also will be streamed live on channelv6.com.

Thursday, 02:11pm

Wildfire smoke not impacting Wasatch Front

Smoke from wildfires burning in Nevada that would normally blow into the Wasatch Front has not impacted the area this year due to differing wind patterns, according to Utah Department of Environmental Quality officials.

We've been lucky with smoke pollution along the W. Front. The typical wind pattern would push the plumes from the #hoganfire & #HDFire in NV to SLC. So far the plumes are moving north. Of course, this can change. Keep up to date on current #AirQuality at https://t.co/rz5IK3fCF4. pic.twitter.com/TjkHpjCRVi
— Utah DEQ (@UtahDEQ) July 5, 2018

Thursday, 12:45pm

Noon update to Dollar Ridge Fire (south of Fruitland, Duchesne County)

Louis Haynes, public information officer for the fire operations, said a Type I team took control of fire operations at 6 a.m. Thursday. That means more crews and tools will be allocated in fighting the large wildfire. “They obviously come in with more people, more equipment (and) more managers, so they can handle some of the more complex fires,” he told KSL TV. Haynes said the operations Thursday have focused on protecting structures threatened by the fire and the northern end of the fire that crossed over U.S. 40 Wednesday night. He added crews were hopeful that wind in the area won’t be as severe as it has been the previous few days. Meanwhile, U.S. 40 remains closed from Aspen Grove campgrounds to Starvation Reservoir. Utah Department of Transportation spokesman John Gleason told KSL Newsradio the section of road typically has about 9,000 cars a day on it during this time of the year, making it the busiest time of the year for the stretch of road. Some residents who live in the Duchesne area of the road were allowed to grab anything they need from their home Thursday morning. However, a hard closure is set to be in place at 1 p.m. A community meeting is planned for 7 p.m. at Duchesne High School. The meeting also will be streamed live at channelv6.com.

Dollar Ridge Fire Community meeting tonight at the Duchesne High School at 7:00 pm. If you are unable to attend you may watch the meeting live at https://t.co/uPmut8pAVR. See you there!
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 5, 2018

There has been no new update to the size of the fire since 9:30 p.m. Wednesday when officials said the fire had burned 42,000 acres and was 4 percent contained. The cause of the fire, which is believed to be human-caused, remains unknown since it started Sunday afternoon.

Thursday, 11:47am

Drone halts West Valley Fire air operations

Air operations at the West Valley Fire were stopped Thursday morning because of an unauthorized drone flying near New Harmony, officials said. Officials added any personal aircraft, which includes drones, are banned from the area where crews are battling a fire.

A drone intrusion near New Harmony has grounded aircraft on the #WestValleyFire. There is a TFR in place around the fire. Personal aircraft is prohibited, as it endangers our firefighters. If you fly, we can't. Help us keep our firefighters safe! #itsnotworththeview #nodronezone pic.twitter.com/bCAectjCeh
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 5, 2018

Thursday, 09:36am

Some residents allowed to enter US 40 at Dollar Ridge Fire near Strawberry Reservoir

Some residents will be allowed access to the closed portion of U.S. 40 near Duchesne until 1 p.m. Thursday, KSL TV's Caitlin Burchill reports.

***The soft closure is ONLY on the Duchesne side*** https://t.co/g1rzrkahzF
— Caitlin Burchill (@newsyCaitlin) July 5, 2018

released an updated map of the fire Thursday morning

Here's the latest map of the #DollarRidgeFire from the @DuchesneSheriff. 42,000 acres, 4% contained. pic.twitter.com/1heCUHFyVh
— Sean Moody (@SeanMoodyKSL) July 5, 2018

Thursday, 09:25am

Acreage revised downward for Willow Patch Fire near Richfield

The Willow Patch Fire burning 9 miles east of Richfield in Sevier County has scorched 4,583 acres, which is less than previously reported, fire officials said Thursday morning.

#WillowPatchFire Due to more accurate mapping the acres at this time is 4,583 with 60% containment. The fire behavior is minimal. Isolated torching continues within interior islands, while creeping in Mahogany fuel types. https://t.co/6YcX1ZOofi…y-july-5-2018-am/pic.twitter.com/ckvkSMLGFE
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 5, 2018

Firefighters face hot, dry conditions Thursday with the possibility of winds up to 30 mph. Fire activity has been minimal, however, fire officials said. Motorists on all roads leading into the fire will require a fire personnel escort to ensure firefighter public safety. That human-caused fire began June 29 and is 60 percent contained.

Thursday, 06:15am

West Valley fire near St. George is 20 percent contained

Crews fighting the West Valley Fire 10 miles north of St. George plan to drop fire retardant and light backfires on Thursday, fire officials said.

#WestValleyFire is now at 11,716 and 20% contained. Thanks to incredible work by firefighters the last few days during red flag conditions, backfire operations and aerial attack has been highly successful to slow the progress of the fire and hold the line.

PC: Sierra Hellstrom pic.twitter.com/j0FIKLvUvX
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 5, 2018

"Fire retardant is a mixture of water and fertilizer dropped by aircraft that is used to slow the spread of fire or reduce its intensity. It’s colored red to be easily viewed from the air and on the ground. Retardant reduces the fire’s intensity and enables firefighters the ability to safely approach the fire," fire officials explained in a press release. "A backfire is a fire set along the inner edge of a fire line. These backfires reduce the burnable vegetation in the path of the main wildfire," it continued. West Valley fire

The fire is human-caused and began on June 27. It has burned 11,716 acres and is 20 percent contained. No evacuations are currently in place. More than 600 firefighters are working on this fire Thursday.

Thursday, 07:46am

Thursday morning outlook for Dollar Ridge Fire in Duchesne County

Officials do not know when U.S. 40 will reopen, according to a Facebook post from the Duchesne County Sheriff's Office at 5:52 a.m. Thursday. "The area from Currant Creek Junction to Upper Red Creek Road (everything from Big G convenience store west) on the north side of the highway remains under pre-evacuation notice," the post said. "Deputies have been in contact with firefighters throughout the night. At this point, firefighters have not indicated that evacuations are needed. If that changes, residents in the area will be notified." "The section of the fire that crossed U.S. 40 Wednesday night is currently burning on the south side of Currant Creek Road in Wasatch County, according to our deputies on scene. It has not reached the road," the sheriff's office said. "All prior evacuation orders for the south side of U.S. 40 remain in effect. Please do not enter these areas," the post concluded.

Right now, firefighters from many agencies meeting this morning to discuss today’s #DollarRidgeFire fight. Leaders confirming 42k acres, 4% contained. TONIGHT, community meeting at Duchesne High School—locals can ask fire managers questions. Watch @KSL5TV for latest updates. pic.twitter.com/YHOdwov1oh
— Caitlin Burchill (@newsyCaitlin) July 5, 2018

Firefighters expect a chance of thunderstorms Thursday afternoon, which could lead to fire growth and more evacuations, fire managers told KSL TV. The Dollar Ridge Fire is the largest of seven burning around the state, fire officials said. It started Sunday near Strawberry Reservoir and is believe to be human caused.

#DollarRidgeFire PIO reminds me that maps are always dated because the fire is continuously changing. He says remember that the fire jumped Hwy 40 and that’s not shown here. https://t.co/jTUQBF3ghJ
— Caitlin Burchill (@newsyCaitlin) July 5, 2018

Contributing:

Thursday, 06:33am

Weather warning for southwest Utah

A red flag warning remains in effect until midnight for southwestern Utah.

The FIRE WEATHER WARNING or RED FLAG warning still in place for SW Utah. Fires are likely to spread quickly in these areas. pic.twitter.com/bUPEvnRidg
— Grant Weyman (@KSLweyman) July 5, 2018

Officials estimate 90 homes destroyed near Dollar Ridge Fire; US 40 closed, evacuations remain

By Linda Williams, KSL.com, Carter Williams, KSL.com and Jacob Klopfenstein for KSL.com | Posted - July 5, 2018 at 10:12 p.m.

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Brush fire south of Saratoga Springs 90 percent contained

Fire along north fork of Ogden River burns 4 acres in Weber County

Brush fire south of Saratoga Springs contained

Brush fire burns up to 60 acres south of Saratoga Springs, containment unlikely Thursday

Wildfire zone briefly opened to residents to check on homes

Smoke from Dollar Ridge Fire affecting Kamas Valley, other Summit County areas

Currant Creek campground north of Strawberry Reservoir evacuated due to Dollar Ridge Fire smoke

Brush fire breaks out near Lake Mountain, south of Saratoga Springs

Fire contained after 6 homes evacuated due to Ogden Valley wildfire

Dollar Ridge Fire officials estimate 90 homes destroyed, 1,000 more threatened

Dollar Ridge Fire in Duchesne County expected to keep growing

Wildfire smoke not impacting Wasatch Front

Noon update to Dollar Ridge Fire (south of Fruitland, Duchesne County)

Drone halts West Valley Fire air operations

Some residents allowed to enter US 40 at Dollar Ridge Fire near Strawberry Reservoir

Acreage revised downward for Willow Patch Fire near Richfield

West Valley fire near St. George is 20 percent contained

Thursday morning outlook for Dollar Ridge Fire in Duchesne County

Weather warning for southwest Utah

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Officials estimate 90 homes destroyed near Dollar Ridge Fire; US 40 closed, evacuations remain

By Linda Williams, KSL.com, Carter Williams, KSL.com and Jacob Klopfenstein for KSL.com | Posted - July 5, 2018 at 10:12 p.m.

+ Show 4 more videos

Brush fire south of Saratoga Springs 90 percent contained

Fire along north fork of Ogden River burns 4 acres in Weber County

Brush fire south of Saratoga Springs contained

Brush fire burns up to 60 acres south of Saratoga Springs, containment unlikely Thursday

Wildfire zone briefly opened to residents to check on homes

Smoke from Dollar Ridge Fire affecting Kamas Valley, other Summit County areas

Currant Creek campground north of Strawberry Reservoir evacuated due to Dollar Ridge Fire smoke

Brush fire breaks out near Lake Mountain, south of Saratoga Springs

Fire contained after 6 homes evacuated due to Ogden Valley wildfire

Dollar Ridge Fire officials estimate 90 homes destroyed, 1,000 more threatened

Dollar Ridge Fire in Duchesne County expected to keep growing

Wildfire smoke not impacting Wasatch Front

Noon update to Dollar Ridge Fire (south of Fruitland, Duchesne County)

Drone halts West Valley Fire air operations

Some residents allowed to enter US 40 at Dollar Ridge Fire near Strawberry Reservoir

Acreage revised downward for Willow Patch Fire near Richfield

West Valley fire near St. George is 20 percent contained

Thursday morning outlook for Dollar Ridge Fire in Duchesne County

Weather warning for southwest Utah

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