A human-caused brush fire near Fort Duchesne, Utah, resulted in injuries to at least one firefighter, according to the Uintah Fire District.
East Ute Plaza Fire Details
The fire, referred to as the East Ute Plaza Fire, began Tuesday at approximately 4 p.m. It sparked about a quarter mile east of Fort Duchesne, near the intersection of U.S. 40 and 7500 East.
Fire crews from local, state, and federal agencies responded to the blaze. During suppression efforts, a firefighter was injured and provided immediate first aid before being transported to a burn center for further treatment.
An evacuation warning was initially issued as a precaution, but no residents evacuated, stated Jordan Nesbitt, public information officer with the Uintah Basin Fire Center. Firefighters successfully protected nearby homes as the fire spread south.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the fire has been determined to be human-caused, and an investigation into both the origin of the fire and the firefighter’s injury is currently being conducted by the Uintah Fire District.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the East Ute Plaza Fire start?
The East Ute Plaza Fire started on Tuesday at approximately 4 p.m.
Where did the fire occur?
The fire occurred about a quarter mile east of Fort Duchesne, near the intersection of U.S. 40 and 7500 East.
Was anyone evacuated due to the fire?
An evacuation warning was issued, but no residents were ultimately evacuated.
As investigations continue into the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the firefighter’s injury, what steps can communities take to mitigate the risk of human-caused wildfires?
