MIDWAY, Utah-
May 15
5:59 pm
The Saddle Fire is now 80 percent contained at 683 acres. All mandatory evacuations have been lifted and residents are allowed to return home. An individual was cited for flying a drone over the fire.
May 14
3:39 pm
The Saddle Fire is 70 percent contained and has scorched 683 acres. The fire will transition back down to a Type 4 incident management organization Friday morning at 6:00 am. The fire will remain staffed with two hotshot crews, two engines and one Type 3 helicopter.
#SaddleFire Update:
Containment: 70%
Size: 683 acresThe fire will transition back down to a Type 4 incident management organization Friday morning at 6 am. The fire will remain staffed with 2 hotshot crews, 2 engines and 1 Type 3 helicopter. #FFSLkw
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) May 14, 2020
12:30 pm
The community of Interlaken thanked firefighting personnel for their assistance in saving their town
Thursday noon update on #SaddleFire. Mandatory evacuation orders were lifted last night. Interlaken remains on pre-evac status. Fire is 640 acres and 40% contained. Thank you to all the firefighters who did an amazing job getting the fire under control & saving our town!
— Interlaken UT (@interlaken_ut) May 14, 2020
8:55 am
The fire remains at 646 acres at 40 percent containment per the latest information from Utah Fire Info. Thursday’s plan is to construct contaminant lines, secure the establishment control lines and extinguish sources of heat along the perimeter of the fire.
#SaddleFire Update:
The fire remains at 646 acres and 40% contained. Today, crews will continue to construct containment lines, secure the established control lines and extinguish sources of heat along the fire perimeter. #FFSLkw @UtahDNR @UtahStateParks @WasatchCounty pic.twitter.com/W0fNOVhbmS
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) May 14, 2020
5:14 am
In reports corroborated by the American Red Cross and Felicia Martinez of KSL-TV in Salt Lake City, residents evacuated from their homes have been able to return. However, in the event of a flare-up, all must still be on alert. In essence, this is the same protocol that COVID-19 has necessitated upon the residents of Wasatch County in many ways.
May 13
8:33 pm
As of 6:30 pm Wednesday, the mandatory evacuation was lifted as residents were allowed to return to their homes.
#SaddleFire Update:
At 6:30 p.m. the mandatory evacuation was lifted and residents were allowed to return to their homes. #FFSLkw @UtahDNR @UtahStateParks @WasatchCounty
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) May 14, 2020
7:18 pm
The fire is 40 percent contained
5:10 pm
The fire is presently at 646 acres and remains 20 percent contained. Four families remain evacuated.
1:37 pm
Utah Fire Info confirms 20 percent of the blaze is now contained. It has still only burned 630 acres, so things are trending upward.
#SaddleFire Update:
Containment has increased to 20% and the estimated acreage remains at 630. #FFSLkw @WasatchCounty @UCSO @UtahDNR @UtahStateParks
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) May 13, 2020
1:11 pm
The Utah National Guard reports the 2-211th Aviation Regiment is assisting more than 150 firefighters from local and state agencies battling the fire. They are using water buckets so that their helicopters can drop water to difficult-to-reach areas.
12:13 pm
Our friend, Felicia Martinez of KSL-TV in Salt Lake City confirmed that the fire is down low at this time and not really climbing to heights, such as where the 94.5 The Peak transmitter is located in Interlaken, which is appreciated. She also confirms air support occurred this morning via Black Hawk helicopters.
11:01 am
The Red Cross is supporting an evacuation center for those displaced by the Saddle Fire in Wasatch County. The center is located at the Midway Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center, located at 165 N. Center in Midway.
10:20 am
Officials say the Saddle Fire is now 630 acres and 15 percent contained. 150 personnel are assigned to combat the blaze. Aircraft and two additional crews will be supporting suppression efforts Wednesday.
8:45 am
All homes affected remain in pre-evacuation status. Homes in the northeastern section remain evacuated. The Wasatch County Fire Department will reevaluate the situation at noon.
5:40 am
Authorities plan to bring in air support to assist in battling the blaze today. They again remind resident not to fly drones near the fire as this is illegal and dangerous to those fighting the blaze.
9:30 pm
Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office officials called the Saddle fire “suspicious.” It is 5 percent contained.
6:51 pm
The fire has increased to 200 acres.
6:21 pm
The Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office requests residents of the Interlaken and Dutch Hills subdivisions to prepare for evacuation if necessary. This means medications and other essential items must be taken with residents for the next 48 hours to the evacuation site, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Midway, located at 165 N. Center.
6:18 pm
The Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office confirms it has apprehended a juvenile suspect in connection with the fire. It is believed the juvenile acted independently. Anyone who has information is asked to call (435) 654-WCSO.
5:25 pm
Blodgett reported he is 8 miles away from the fire and can still see the flames. He reports that the trajectory of the blaze appears to have shifted westward as it was previously climbing the mountains but is still burning near the range. It appears to be progressing more eastward and northward at this stage.
4:50 pm
Resident Ernie Blodgett stated that smoke has virtually encompassed the entire valley. Heber City resident Nicole Gehring has substantiated this report. Blodgett confirms the smoke, because of 20 mph gusts, has nearly spread to Woodland. Blodgett reports that the fire has not yet reached U.S. Highway 40 but is climbing the mountains.
#SaddleFire a wider view. Smoke across entire valley. Almost to Woodland. 20mph+ winds here. pic.twitter.com/lUvmIrlbjc
— Ernie Blodgett (@ErnieBlodgett) May 12, 2020
4:35 pm
Resident Kevin Stickelman shares a view of the blaze:
View from my house of the #SaddleFire just north of Midway. pic.twitter.com/hQascvLxIh
— Kevin Stickelman (@KevinStickelman) May 12, 2020
4:08 pm
The Saddle Fire has grown to 100 acres and remains on state land. Additional crews have been ordered and are responding. The fire is transitioning to a Type 3 incident management team.
3:23 pm
The Saddle Fire is estimated at 70 acres and is moving away from structures at this time.
3:01 pm
The Lone Peak Hotshots are also headed to the area to assist in putting out the fire. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation at this hour.
2:59 pm
A drone intrusion has been reported on the Saddle Fire. It is illegal to fly drones near a wildfire, Utah Fire Info reminds residents. Drones pose a significant risk to firefighters and their suppression efforts.
2:52 pm
Wasatch County Fire confirms several homes in the upper Interlaken Area are being evacuated as a precaution because of the fire.
2:34 pm
Resources from Wasatch County Fire, Wasatch County Public Works, the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, Heber City Police and the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Department are on the scene. Lone Peak hotshots are en route to the incident as well.
2:06 pm
The Saddle Fire is estimated to be at 5-10 acres just off of Dutch Canyon Road in Midway. Engine crews and a bulldozer are at the scene. Additional resources are presently being ordered. Firefighters are experiencing strong, erratic winds in the area.
12:39 pm
Our friends at Utah Fire Info confirmed a blaze has commenced north of Midway, which is known as the Saddle Fire. Reports later in the evening confirmed that the fire started at 12:39 pm.
As of 1:23 pm, Utah Fire Info confirmed the blaze is moving northward. Please be safe and listen to all authorities who will have further information on the matter.
NEW START
Resources responding to the #SaddleFire, a new start located North of Midway, UT. Fire is moving North. pic.twitter.com/lwuZbaw0IH— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) May 12, 2020
