Press Release
Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team- Dan Dallas, Incident Commander
Information Center: 385-448-0929
Hours of operation: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6101
Email: 2018_utmlf_coalhollowfire@firenet.gov
August 21, 2018, 8 a.m.
The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest closure orders and the pre-evacuation orders of Zones 2 and 15, north of Highway 6, have been lifted. On the Manti-La Sal National Forest south of Highway 6, all evacuation orders and National Forest closures remain in effect today. Forest officials plan to increase the closure order on the west side of the Lake Fork Road as the fire slowly moves into that area as a precautionary measure.
Current Situation: Rain showers moved into the Great Basin area raising the relative humidity. This has proved beneficial in slowing the progression of the fire. Monday’s high relative humidity allowed firefighters to improve lines and hold containment to 47%. The modest increase in acreage has come largely from the slop-over along the southeastern perimeter of the fire in Division R. Aircraft support in critical areas, and the removal of fuels through these firing operations, are aiding in firefighting success. Firefighters are continuing to tie together sections of completed fire lines.
In Division M, crews will go direct on Tuesday, moving east to tie into Division Q, and firing along the line between the two divisions may occur. Division Q continues to be a priority area. Work along Starvation Road will continue today as firefighters utilize chippers to reduce fuels and improve the depth of this line. Particular emphasis will be placed on the small remaining uncontained portion on the northern tip of the division.
In Division R, to the southeast, firefighters cleaned up a small slop-over that occurred on Sunday and finished boxing it in Monday. Favorable wind direction and high relative humidity today should assist in working the remaining uncontained lines in this division. Fire crews in Division T, along the fire’s southern edge, were able to engage the fire both directly and indirectly on Monday and containment lines in this area are looking good. Crews are monitoring some deep pockets of unburned fuel in that area.
In the southwest area of the fire, Division X, construction of indirect hand and dozer line has been ongoing along Lake Fork Road. Hotshot crews will continue this today. In Division Z, work along the Lake Fork Road continued removing fuels along the road using chippers to reduce downed vegetation. In the northwest, Division J, a helitack crew spent much of the day securing uncontained line and strengthening the line down to the Lake Fork Road to reduce safety hazards for the crew. This work will continue today.
Weather: Moisture will continue to move into the area from the south keeping skies mostly cloudy and the chance of showers and thunderstorms in the forecast all day. High winds will be prevalent at the ridge top drainages. The chance of rain continues Tuesday night and Wednesday. Flash flood watch in effect from noon to 10:00 pm in many areas of Utah including the Coal Hollow Fire area.
Information Briefing: Daily public information briefings are held at the info board at the Fairview Chevron, located at the Junction of Highway 31 and Highway 89 at 4 p.m.
NOTE: The Manti-La Sal closure orders can be found on national forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/mantilasal/
Fire Statistics
Location: 15 miles southeast of Spanish Fork, UT
Start Date: August 4, 2018
Size: 29,860 acres
Total Personnel: 642
Cause: Lightning
Percent Contained: 47%
Resources Include: 4 Type 1 hand crews, 8 Type 2 hand crews, 33 engines, 5 dozers, 12 water tenders, 7 helicopters, 2 fixed wing air tankers, 1 air attack platforms, 3 masticators and overhead/support personnel