SALT LAKE CITY — Hikers will be able to enjoy the Highline Trail in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest after the trail had been closed due to the Beulah Fire.
The Beulah Fire reportedly covered 5,719 acres on Saturday morning, according to the U.S. Forest Service, and was 55% complete.
The fire started on Aug. 7 and quickly grew in size, burning in difficult terrain and forcing campers and hikers to flee.
Despite the trail reopening, some areas of the national forest are still closed as crews continue to battle the fire. Those closures can be found on the Forest Service's website.
The Forest Service said Monday morning that 301 personnel were hard at work on the fire, which is 56% complete. On Saturday, the department provided some updates on their progress:
"Firefighters completed tree-falling operations along Tokewanna Ridge today. Hazardous trees were cut down to improve the ridgeline's defensibility in the event it needs to be used as a control line. Crews are patrolling the East Fork Bear River Drainage, seeking out and extinguishing hot spots near the fire perimeter. Firefighters are also working to improve contingency lines along North Slope Road."
On Monday, it said 18 miles of hose was deployed as the Forest Service began fighting the fire, and it has now backhauled 6 miles of hose, with each 100 feet of hose weighing 10 to 20 pounds.
The Forest Service expects the weather to continue to warm up over the holiday, and thunderstorms are a possibility in the next week.
The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest was under a stage-1 fire restriction ahead of Labor Day weekend, meaning campfires are only allowed in designated fire pits.
Beulah Fire in Summit County
Family hikes 37 miles to escape wildfire
A family hiking and fishing in the backcountry last week was forced to flee a fire on foot. They hiked 37 miles round trip to get to safety.
