Containment on Deer creek fire increases, crews focus on cleaning up

LA SAL, Utah (ABC4) — Crews fighting the Deer Creek fire in San Juan County have now contained 77% of the fire, according to the latest information from Utah Forestry, Fire and State Lands.

Weather conditions are expected to warm up as drier conditions move in with a slight chance of thunderstorms, officials said in a press release. Crews say they will continue to focus on cleaning up and increasing depth on firelines, felling roadside hazard trees, and addressing any hot spots and smoldering areas.

The fire that started on July 10 has reached 17,648 acres, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. It has grown about 120 acres since Tuesday.

Road closures remain in effect across the La Sal Mountains region for public safety during ongoing firefighting operations. County roads within the San Juan County evacuation area are closed to public traffic.

With the increase in containment, some of the firefighters involved will be released to support other fires or will be able to travel home for rest before responding to other fires, officials said in the press release.