DUCHESNE COUNTY, Utah-As the 4th of July commenced, there were no joyful fireworks to speak of during Day 4 of the Dollar Ridge Fire, just more bad news for residents of eastern Utah.
Per a report from Brittany Johnson of ABC 4 Utah, the morning briefing occurred at 6:25 am MDT and the Dollar Ridge Fire had grown to 40,469 acres at this time.
Johnson further reports that red flag warnings are still in place in the area and the fire remains highly unpredictable.
Alex Cabrero of KSL News Radio in Salt Lake City confirms authorities expect “extreme fire behavior” Wednesday.
As the day progressed, UDOT Traffic allowed drivers to use S.R. 35 as an alternate route and briefly, residents were allowed to go back into their evacuated homes to get any necessities they may need. Authorities granted them until 1:00 pm MDT Wednesday to fulfill this.
Also, this afternoon, per Sean Moody of KSL-TV in Salt Lake City, more than a dozen horses, as well as 30-40 cats and dogs who have been evacuated are being housed at the Duchesne County Fairgrounds in Duchesne.
The Utah National Guard also confirmed on Twitter that it has sent in two Black Hawks into the fire-ravaged area to send water down to the blaze via bucket drops as of 2:34 pm MDT Thursday.
The fire is presently one percent contained and Jeremy Harris of KUTV 2-News states mandatory evacuations have now occurred in Wasatch County as of 5:42 pm MDT.
All occupants of 40 Dam Acres, Pine Hollow and Aspen Grove campground and marina have been commanded to leave immediately.
Harris further reports that, for the time being, U.S. Highway 40 is open.
U.S. Highway 40 was swiftly closed, however as of 7:29 pm MDT. As of 7:56 pm MDT, it was closed down between milepost 60 and milepost 86 between Currant Creek and Starvation Reservoir.
Julio Puentes, an assignment desk editor at KSL, confirms that all those forced to evacuate in Wasatch County may take refuge at Duchesne High School for the time being.
As Wednesday reporting concludes, the biggest story is that the blaze jumped U.S. Highway 40, resulting in its closure again. Until further notice, drivers in the area are to take U.S. 191 or S.R. 35 if in the area.
Stay tuned for more information Thursday.
