MYTON — Fire crews responded to fires that broke out Monday in northeastern Utah and are believed to be human-caused, Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands officials confirmed.
Officials said that by 6:15 p.m. the two fires had merged, threatening 10 structures, as well as oil and power infrastructure.
#EastMyton and #NorthRiver fires have merged. 10 structures threatened. Oil and Power infrastructure threatened. pic.twitter.com/q3HySuyH7S
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) March 30, 2021
The East Myton Fire in Duchesne County is currently over 200 acres with structures being threatened by the fire, according to Mike Eriksson with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. The East Myton Fire, which was estimated at 10% containment as of 4:10 p.m. Monday, said Erikkson.
The North River Fire in Uintah County started on private land but it has now spread to tribal land. The fire is estimated at 50 to 60 acres, said Eriksson. There is currently no estimate on its containment. As of 3:49 p.m., there were no evacuations, according to Erikksson.
Almost all of Uintah and Duchesne County crews were called out for both fires as well as the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs and other state resources.
“Extreme fire behavior today due to the wind,” Eriksson said.
Eriksson pointed to the dry winter making vegetation dry paired with strong winds making containment of the fires hard. A wind advisory had gone into effect throughout the state with the Western Uintah Basin experiencing gusts up to 50 mph.
Firefighters said they believe both the fires were human-caused and that it is currently under investigation.
#EastMyton and #NorthRiver fire locations. https://t.co/VquKBoX8Pd#ffslkwpic.twitter.com/4wnZtNEbwf
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) March 29, 2021
