MYTON – A home was damaged after two fires broke out in northeast Utah on Monday. This was confirmed by officials from the Utah Department of Forestry, Fire Department and State Land.
Officials said that at 6:15 p.m. on Monday, the two fires believed to have been caused by humans merged and threatened 10 structures as well as oil and energy infrastructure. The merged fires are now referred to as the East Myton Complex Fire. Officials report the fire is on 2,200 acres with 10% containment and that the evacuations were lifted around 8:30 p.m. on Monday.
#EastMyton and #NorthRiver fires merged. 10 structures threatened. Oil and energy infrastructure threatened. pic.twitter.com/q3HySuyH7S
– Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) March 30, 2021
On Tuesday morning, fire officials said there was no change to the containment or size of the fire complex that burns in Ute tribal and privately owned areas about a mile east of Myton.
One house had minor damage from the fire, officials said.
A total of 90 firefighters, including 23 engines and four tenders, are working on Tuesday to contain the fire complex. Firefighters from the Ute Tribe, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Duchesne County, Uintah County and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands have responded to the area.
The fire, which originally started in Duchesne County, was 200 acres and threatened structures, according to Mike Eriksson of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. And the previously named North River Fire, which began in Uintah County, began on private land before spreading to tribal land. It was originally estimated to be 50 to 60 acres as of Monday afternoon, Eriksson said.
Almost all of the Uintah and Duchesne Counties crews have been called in for the mergers, as well as the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and other government resources.
“Extreme fire behavior today due to the wind,” said Eriksson.
Eriksson pointed out the dry winter that made the vegetation dry, coupled with strong winds that made it difficult to contain the fires. A wind report had come into effect throughout the state, with gusts of up to 80 km / h in the western Uintah basin.
Firefighters said they believe both fires were man-made and that the cause is currently being investigated.
#EastMyton and #NorthRiver fire pits. https://t.co/VquKBoX8Pd#ffslkwpic.twitter.com/4wnZtNEbwf
– Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) March 29, 2021
Contributors: Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com
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