Smoke from the Buck Basin Fire continues to drift into Summit County, but the 143-acre blaze in Wasatch County's national forest land reached 64% containment as of the most recent update on July 17. No newer containment figures have been released.
The progress came after monsoon thunderstorms soaked the fire area. The lightning-caused fire ignited dead timber on July 11, roughly 16 miles southeast of Heber City. There are no active wildfires in Summit County, according to Wasatch Emergency Management.
U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Brenda Bushell said on KPCW's "Local News Hour" on July 17 that the rain helped but also complicated operations.
"With a lightning strike fire, it could take a week for that fire to all of a sudden show visible enough that we can see it, and that's kind of what happened with this one," Bushell said.
Firefighters must pause suppression work any time lightning is detected nearby, she said, and new fire starts from additional strikes remain a concern.
Size revised downward
The fire's mapped size has been revised from 230 acres to 143 acres after crews completed more accurate aerial mapping. At peak staffing, 149 personnel worked the perimeter, reinforcing containment lines, removing hazardous snags and mopping up 20 feet inside the line, according to the Park Record.
The blaze is burning dead standing timber in mixed conifer and aspen stands in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, located in Buck Basin about five miles northwest of Currant Creek Reservoir.
Road closures and forest restrictions
The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest has issued a closure order for portions of the Heber-Kamas Ranger District. Three roads remain closed:
- Red Creek Mountain Road (FS080)
- Low Pass Road (FS106)
- West Side Currant Creek Road
A local team was scheduled to take command of the fire on Saturday, July 18, according to KPCW.
What Summit County residents should know
Summit County officials issued a smoke alert on July 12, warning that smoke from the fire may be visible across portions of the county. Wasatch Emergency Management confirmed no structures or communities are threatened.
Bushell said crews are fully suppressing the fire rather than allowing it to burn naturally, citing dangerous wildfire conditions statewide this season.
Residents who see drifting smoke should not call emergency dispatch unless they observe flames or a distinct smoke column. To report a wildfire or check conditions, residents can contact Summit County's non-emergency dispatch line.
