DUCHESNE COUNTY, Utah-As Monday progresses, many of the problems circling around the Dollar Ridge Fire are beginning to be alleviated.
The biggest news in regard to the blaze thus far comes from Jenny Hardman, the morning traffic reporter on KUTV 2 News in Salt Lake City as she reports U.S. Highway 40 is open in Duchesne County.
That, in and of itself is significant as in the previous days, traffic has been forced to reroute in the area but now the major road linking western Colorado and eastern Utah oil reserves to the Wasatch Front is no longer an issue.
As of 9:07 am MDT, FOX 13 in Salt Lake City reports the blaze has scorched 52,068 acres and remains at 35 percent containment.
As is customary with fires, it is reasonable to suggest that as soon as fire crews have corralled the flames, they are more likely to let it burn out naturally as this can be vital to the ecosystem’s progression.
Information from Utah Wildfire revealed at 11:25 am MDT confirms Lower Red Creek Road with access to Camelot and Strawberry Pinnacles will open today for residents only.
Local law enforcement will require proof of residency to access this area and access to this area is not open to the public.
Rae Ann Christensen of KUTV 2 News in Salt Lake City also confirms that there were numerous lightning strikes Sunday in the affected area that caused more fires. Nevertheless, fire crews were swift to respond and none of the fires grew larger than 5 acres before being extinguished.
As of 7:06 pm MDT, FOX 13 of Salt Lake City’s Lauren Steinbrecher confirmed the fire was 45 percent contained and had not grown in acreage burned.
This evening, at the community meeting at Duchesne High School, Utah Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox made an appearance and galvanized the spirits of the evacuees.
It is anticipated that many of the evacuation areas will shrink as the week progresses as the firefighters begin to more effectively combat the blaze.
