Sept. 29 Mirror Lake Complex Update

Fire Information Line: (208) 495-4228 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
Email: 2018.MirrorLakeComplex@firenet.gov
Facebook: U.S. Forest Service Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6223/

Fire Start Cause Size
Ac.
% Contained Crews Helicopter Engines Personnel
Mirror Complex 3,603 17 5 5 5 204
Murdock 8/28 Lightning 2,950 10 The Murdock and Slate fires are sharing resources.
Slate 9/23 Lightning 653 34


Summary: With growth taking place on the Murdock Fire, and the improving containment of the Slate fire, the Mirror Complex is now 17 percent contained, up two percent from Friday. This containment is occurring on the Slate fire, which is now 34 percent contained and 653 acers.

The Murdock fire is now 2,950 acres, a 778-acre growth from Friday. It is losing containment as the total fire area grows; however, established containment lines are holding. The Murdock fire is growing primarily to the northeast as southwest winds push it north and east through the steep drainages of Murdock Basin. This area has 90 percent dead and down trees, which firefighters cannot work directly in. The fire is not threatening structures or infrastructure as it moves deeper into the High Uintas Wilderness. Approximately two miles north of the fire is Mirror Lake. The campground and area is closed.

Weather: A Red Flag Warning is in effect today through Saturday for very low relative humidity, dry vegetation and gusty southwest winds that may reach over 40 mph. These conditions will likely generate extreme fire behavior, especially on the Murdock fire. A large smoke plume is likely to be visible from Kamas, Utah or Evanston, Wyoming.

Today: Firefighters are making progress cutting and limbing trees that will help protect structures in the Mirror Lake area. They will be positioning water sprinklers and pumps around the area they can turn on and leave should the Murdock fire move in its direction.

Firefighters on the Slate fire made significant progress Friday containing the northern finger of the fire. This area is a key success for firefighters who have been working to keep the fire from moving north towards the Weber Cottonwood Area.

Due to shorter fall days, the fires are now mostly active for three to four hours before the sun sets. These shorter burn periods are preventing the fires from gaining speed though the day and lessoning the number of acres burned.

 National Forest Trail and Road Closures are in place.
Murdock Fire: The Highline Trail, Naturalist Basin, Four Lakes Basin, East Fork Duchesne River Trail along with the Murdock Basin, Broadhead Meadows, Lost Creek Campground, Fehr Lake Trail, Mirror Lake Campground, North Fork Duchesne River Trail and Mirror Lake trails are CLOSED. Additionally, all areas on the south side of Utah State Route 150 (Mirror Lake Highway) between mile marker 22 and 35 are closed. See the area closure map for a description of this area: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6223/48368/

Slate Fire: Yellow Pine Trail (Trail #240) is closed. Smoke may be visible from Highway 40 and Highway 150 around the Slate Creek and Yellow Pine areas, especially in the late afternoon.

Map: PIO_arch_C_land_20180929_0630_MirrorLake_UTUWF001048

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