Beulah fire nears 3,000 acres, certain campgrounds, trails closed in the Uintas

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — The Beulah Fire burning in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is nearing 3,000 acres and is at zero percent containment, according to the latest information from the U.S. Forest Service.

There are about 304 fire personnel, eight helicopters and five engines assisting with the fire. Officials say the increased volume of smoke visible from the fire was the result of the fire burning through dry, dead and down fuels on the right-hand side of the East Fork of the Bear River.

Crews say they are focusing on structural assessments and protection measures, including sprinkler and hose preparation, and improvements to access roads near the Hinckley Scout Camp and the Christmas Meadows area.

“Crews continue diligently working on fire suppression using tactics such as removing vegetation along roadways and scouting natural barriers to utilize as fireline,” the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 4 said in a press release.

Since the fire started on August 7, four water scoopers have dropped 142,000 gallons of water on the fire. On Sunday, a type 1 helicopter dropped nearly 36,000 gallons of water. For context, a type 1 helicopter is the largest helicopter with the greatest capacity to assist firefighters working on the ground.

Officials say a warming and dry trend will continue over the next few days with an anticipated weather shift coming on Wednesday, bringing the potential for several days of thunderstorms.

If you are travelling on Mirror Lake Highway, you can expect increased traffic in the morning and evening, as that is when most firefighting resources are leaving and returning to camp. Officials are asking you to make way for fire personnel and equipment, reduce driving speeds and travel with lights on for safety and visibility in the canyons.

The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest has issued an area closure which is impacting certain campsites in the area, like the Christmas Meadows Campground, Wolverine ATV Trailhead and Campground and the Little Lyman Campground. 

Recreationists have been asked to be aware of changing conditions and closures and check intended travel routes before heading out.