Dollar Ridge Fire burns 47K acres; US 40 reopens

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SALT LAKE CITY — The Dollar Ridge Fire near Strawberry Reservoir burned an additional 5,000 acres overnight, fire officials said as crews began fighting the massive blaze for the sixth day Friday.

The fire has burned 47,683 acres and remains 4 percent contained, fire officials said. It has forced about 1,100 people from their homes, and destroyed about 90 structures since it began Sunday.

U.S. 40 has been closed due to fire activity, but will reopen at 6 p.m. Friday.

Smoke from the Dollar Ridge and other wildfires around the state filled parts of the Wasatch Front Friday morning. Unhealthy air quality is expected along the Wasatch Front and beyond. Check KSL's air quality report here.

This article will be updated throughout the day.

Friday, 10:39pm

'More ... than we can use:' Duchesne evacuation center overwhelmed with donations

Tragedies always seem to have a way to find out what a town is really made of. “It’s amazing,” said Ciara Larson, as she counted cans of food Friday. Larson always knew Duchesne was a good place. It’s just now she really knows. “I am overjoyed by the amount of things that have been donated,” she said. “Loads and loads, like, and people from other communities. Like the Ute Tribe came in with five trucks and they just dumped, and then they’re like, ‘What else can we bring?’” Truck after truck and car after car lined the parking lot outside Duchesne High School Friday. Many of them were full of supplies to help those evacuated from the Dollar Ridge Fire. Larson, who is also a school teacher at the local elementary school, kind of became the organizer. She felt like she had to. “Most of my students live out there. And I have seen five of them today that have had to leave and don’t know how their house is, and that’s terrible,” said Larson. Even evacuees, like Ed Hutchins, came to the high school to help. He has been out of his home for five days. “And I was lucky to get my things out,” he said. He knew there were so many donations coming in, there was a need to move boxes and carry cases of water from the trucks to storage rooms in the high school. “Everyone needs to do that. They need to get involved with their neighbors and their friends and see if they can help them,” said Hutchins. However, there has been so much help, and so many donations, it’s starting to become an issue. Cases of water line the hallways, as well as tables full of clothes and rooms full of food. “We have more volunteers than we can use,” said Jason Young, who is also helping to organize the relief efforts. “We have more supplies than we can use.” That is a good problem to have, but it’s still a problem. “A common phrase we hear in Utah I guess we need to use is, ‘slow the flow.’ We just don’t have the space nor do we have the need,” said Young. Still, you can’t blame people for wanting to help. It’s what you do when bad things happen to those you care about. “I’m just here to help and if somebody asks a question you find an answer,” said Larson. Fire command also says that fire crews have plenty of donations and are well taken care of anyway. Organizers say if they need more supplies in the future, they will pass that along. But right now, they feel they have plenty of food, water, clothes, and other supplies that have been donated. — Alex Cabrero, KSL TV

Friday, 10:15pm

2 fires quickly extinguished in Morgan County

Firefighters in Morgan County stayed busy Friday fighting two rural fires. Crews were first dispatched to a small brush fire near Lost Creek Reservoir. It burned approximately 10 acres before "crews from Morgan, Uintah, South Weber and the State were able to slow it down and extinguish it," according to a post on the Morgan County Fire & EMS Facebook page. Morgan fire officials said crews were also called to extinguish an ATV that caught fire on state Route 66. Photos posted on the agency's Facebook page show the vehicle fully engulfed in flames, but officials said firefighters were able to knock it down quickly.

Friday, 05:49pm

U.S. Highway 40 to reopen following Dollar Ridge Fire closures

U.S. Highway 40 will reopen at 6 p.m., according to Utah Department of Transportation Spokesman John Gleason. The highway has been closed due to Dollar Ridge Fire activity. Flames crossed the highway earlier this week. The speed limit will be reduced to 35 miles per hour through the fire area, according to Gleason. There will be no stopping allowed between milepost 56 and 59, where the fire is closest to the highway, Gleason said. Utah Highway Patrol will be enforcing that rule, he added. The Dollar Ridge Fire started on July 1 and has burned 47,000 acres east of Strawberry Reservoir, according to fire officials. It remained 4 percent contained as of Friday afternoon.

Friday, 03:14pm

Mail delivery impacted by Dollar Ridge Fire (near Fruitland, Duchesne County)

Evacuations and road closures associated with the Dollar Ridge Fire have disrupted mail delivery to about 350 residences in the Fruitland area, the U.S. Postal Service said in a press release. Affected residents can pick up their mail at the Duchesne Post Office, 243 E. Main St. until further notice. The post office is open from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, and from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturdays. Residents need photo ID to pick up their mail. Mail delivery will continue in areas where it is safe to do so, the release said.

Here is a Dollar Ridge Fire progression map from July 6, 2018. The concentric colored layers represent growth by date. #dollarridgefire #dollarridge pic.twitter.com/ChK58keesZ
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 6, 2018

Fire map for the Dollar Ridge Fire, shows the small portion that crossed over Highway 40, causing the road closure. Fire managers continue to asses the highway corridor and fire activity in the area. The fire has consumed 47,683 and is 4% contained. pic.twitter.com/n4L7ZJfGZU
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 6, 2018

Friday, 02:58pm

Update on Pine Canyon Fire (near Croydon in Morgan County)

The Pine Canyon Fire near Lost Creek Reservoir is 90 percent contained and has burned 6 acres, according to Utah Fire Info.

Six engines, a helicopter and two single-engine air tankers have kept the #PineCanyonFire at about 6 acres and it is now 90% contained. #ffsljc
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 6, 2018

Friday, 02:05pm

Updated map on West Valley Fire (near New Harmony, Washington County)

Officials posted a new map of the West Valley Fire, which is 28 percent contained and had limited growth on Thursday. "Lines on the south, west and north flanks are currently holding," fire officials tweeted.

Updated map for the #WestValleyFire, showing 28% containment. Lines on the south, west, and north flanks are currently holding. The east flank has shown little movement and has burned to the edge of several fire scar and natural barriers. There was limited growth yesterday pic.twitter.com/E1oh8kuNBe
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 6, 2018

Friday, 01:22pm

Currant Creek campground (in Heber City) closed until further notice

Smoke caused officials to close the Currant Creek campground in Heber City until further notice.

#uwcnf Heber-Kamas Ranger District as of 5 pm yesterday, Currant Creek campground was closed as a precaution due to the large amount of smoke in the area. There is no ETA for reopening the area. pic.twitter.com/J5F7D28bMm
— UintaWasatchCacheNF (@UWCNF) July 6, 2018

The Renegade, Strawberry Bay and Soldier Creek campgrounds are open but have no water or working sewer. The Strawberry Visitor Center is closed.

#uwcnf Heber-Kamas Ranger District: Renegade, Strawberry bay and Solider Creek campgrounds are open but no water no sewer. The Strawberry Visitor Center is closed due to no electricity pic.twitter.com/uVZTcQDTuh

— UintaWasatchCacheNF (@UWCNF) July 6, 2018

Friday, 01:20pm

New fire near Lost Creek Reservoir (near Croydon in Morgan County)

A new fire has started near Lost Creek Reservoir. Officials have named it the Pine Canyon Fire. No information on the size of the fire was given.

The #PineCanyonFire near Lost Creek Reservoir is being fought by a helicopter and engines from the State of Utah and Morgan County. #ffsljc
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 6, 2018

Friday, 12:34pm

Dollar Ridge firefighters covered; evacuees still need Red Cross donations

Firefighters working on the Dollar Ridge Fire have received enough supplies in donations, fire officials said. Evacuees are most in need of food, officials said. People can donate non-perishable food items like packaged pasta, cereal, canned fruits and vegetables and basics like sugar and flour at the food pantry trailer in the parking lot of Duchesne High School. People can donate money to the Duchesne County Dollar Ridge Victim Relief Fund at Mountain America Credit Union, any Zion's Bank and at duchesne.utah.gov. The fund was established by Duchesne County officials to help evacuees get gas, food and clothing.

Firefighters on the #DollarRidgeFire have their needs met. However, donations are greatly appreciated for the evacuees at the @RedCross Evacuation Center at Duchesne High School. Please deliver all donations there to help those displaced: Contact #435-733-0447 to donate
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 6, 2018

Friday, 10:24am

Friday plan at Dollar Ridge Fire (near Fruitland, Duchesne County)

Firefighters will continue to focus their efforts along the northern flank of the Dollar Ridge Fire Friday — including the Red Creek Road area — and on the southwest flank along Strawberry River Road, fire officials said.

More than 640 personnel are working from the ground and air. They expect hot, dry conditions again, with a possibility of isolated thunderstorms. Fire map

Friday, 09:50am

Willow Patch Fire (near Richfield, Sevier County) now 80% contained

Crews are getting the upper hand on the Willow Patch Fire 9 miles east of Richfield. The fire is 80 percent contained and has scorched 4,582 acres as of Friday morning, according to fire information officer Beth McClanahan. That fire began June 29 and is human caused. About 156 personnel are working on the fire Friday.

Friday, 09:42am

West Valley Fire (near New Harmony, Washington County) now 28% contained

The West Valley Fire burning 10 miles north of St. George is now 28 percent contained, fire officials said Friday. The fire, which started June 27 from an abandoned campfire, has burned 11,716 acres.

Fire crews on the #WestValleyFire reached increased containment of 28%, acreage currently 11,716. Still some isolated torching in the interior of the fire. Crews working on mop-up efforts around the perimeter
Photo: @UFA firefighter, Adam Boyer, on the northwest flank of the fire pic.twitter.com/aM2ngvoDXW
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 6, 2018

Friday, 09:32am

Dollar Ridge Fire (near Fruitland, Duchesne County) evacuees allowed to gather belongings

Some residents displaced by the Dollar Ridge Fire near Strawberry Reservoir will be allowed to quickly return to their property to gather belongings between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday, fire officials said. Residents are asked to meet at a checkpoint at Gateway 66 in Duchesne, according to a Facebook post from Uintah Basin Communications.

Friday, 06:53am

Dollar Ridge Fire burns 47K acres near Strawberry Reservoir; still 4 percent contained

The Dollar Ridge Fire burning near Strawberry Reservoir grew by about 5,000 acres overnight and now has burned 47,683 acres, fire officials said Friday morning.

*47,683* typo. My apologies! https://t.co/QPdCghRnYu
— Caitlin Burchill (@newsyCaitlin) July 6, 2018

U.S. 40 remains closed in the area, as do parts of state Route 208 and Sams Wash Road, KSL TV's Haley Smith reported.

The morning briefing for firefighters on the #DollarRidgeFire happening now #KSLAM pic.twitter.com/zTfMgP5NCy
— Derek Petersen (@Derek_Photog) July 6, 2018

#Sunrise over Day 6 #DollarRidgeFire operational briefing 🔥90 houses & cabins have been destroyed so far #wildfire #wildfireseason #KSLAM @UtahWildfire pic.twitter.com/FBzlTikj89
— Caitlin Burchill (@newsyCaitlin) July 6, 2018

Smoke from Utah's wildfires could be seen throughout parts of the state and is affecting air quality is some areas, according to KSL Meteorologist Grant Weyman. Get KSL's air quality report here.

The smoke is in the air.... and the air pollution levels are way up... pic.twitter.com/UX4togTePb
— Grant Weyman (@KSLweyman) July 6, 2018

The Dollar Ridge Fire began Sunday and is believed to be human caused. Contributing: Caitlin Burchill, KSL TV

Friday, 06:44am

Salt Lake crews put out brush fire in Federal Heights

A fire burned close to homes in an east-bench neighborhood of Salt Lake City early Friday. A field fire was reported about 1:30 a.m. in the Popperton Park - Federal Heights neighborhood north of the Huntsman Cancer Institute and burned dangerously close to homes on all sides, according to a press release from the Salt Lake City Fire Department. Federal Heights fire

Crews brought the fire under control within an hour. No injuries were reported and no evacuations were needed. An estimated 20 acres burned, and investigators are still looking for the cause. Federal Heights fire

Friday, 06:35am

Brush fire burns near Saratoga Springs

Crews got control of a wildfire south of Saratoga Springs Thursday night. The fire started by Lake Mountain near Sunrise Drive west of Redwood Road. It quickly burned about 50 acres but never threatened any homes, fire officials said. No injuries were reported.

Dollar Ridge Fire burns 47K acres; US 40 reopens

By Linda Williams and Tracie Snowder, KSL.com | Posted - July 6, 2018 at 10:39 p.m.

Show 5 more videos

'More ... than we can use:' Duchesne evacuation center overwhelmed with donations

2 fires quickly extinguished in Morgan County

U.S. Highway 40 to reopen following Dollar Ridge Fire closures

Mail delivery impacted by Dollar Ridge Fire (near Fruitland, Duchesne County)

Update on Pine Canyon Fire (near Croydon in Morgan County)

Updated map on West Valley Fire (near New Harmony, Washington County)

Currant Creek campground (in Heber City) closed until further notice

New fire near Lost Creek Reservoir (near Croydon in Morgan County)

Dollar Ridge firefighters covered; evacuees still need Red Cross donations

Friday plan at Dollar Ridge Fire (near Fruitland, Duchesne County)

Willow Patch Fire (near Richfield, Sevier County) now 80% contained

West Valley Fire (near New Harmony, Washington County) now 28% contained

Dollar Ridge Fire (near Fruitland, Duchesne County) evacuees allowed to gather belongings

Dollar Ridge Fire burns 47K acres near Strawberry Reservoir; still 4 percent contained

Salt Lake crews put out brush fire in Federal Heights

Brush fire burns near Saratoga Springs

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Dollar Ridge Fire burns 47K acres; US 40 reopens

By Linda Williams and Tracie Snowder, KSL.com | Posted - July 6, 2018 at 10:39 p.m.

+ Show 5 more videos

'More ... than we can use:' Duchesne evacuation center overwhelmed with donations

2 fires quickly extinguished in Morgan County

U.S. Highway 40 to reopen following Dollar Ridge Fire closures

Mail delivery impacted by Dollar Ridge Fire (near Fruitland, Duchesne County)

Update on Pine Canyon Fire (near Croydon in Morgan County)

Updated map on West Valley Fire (near New Harmony, Washington County)

Currant Creek campground (in Heber City) closed until further notice

New fire near Lost Creek Reservoir (near Croydon in Morgan County)

Dollar Ridge firefighters covered; evacuees still need Red Cross donations

Friday plan at Dollar Ridge Fire (near Fruitland, Duchesne County)

Willow Patch Fire (near Richfield, Sevier County) now 80% contained

West Valley Fire (near New Harmony, Washington County) now 28% contained

Dollar Ridge Fire (near Fruitland, Duchesne County) evacuees allowed to gather belongings

Dollar Ridge Fire burns 47K acres near Strawberry Reservoir; still 4 percent contained

Salt Lake crews put out brush fire in Federal Heights

Brush fire burns near Saratoga Springs

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