A fire that started on the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation on July 21st remains at zero percent containment. The Bear Trap Fire started on a ridge just north of Bear Trap Knoll, west of Big Springs in a very remote area. It was inaccessible by vehicle but helicopters immediately began to work on the fire. In the two and a half weeks since, the Bear Trap Fire has grown to 2,077 acres. According to the BIA Forestry & Wildland Fire – Uintah & Ouray Agency, the fire is being managed as a Type III incident and resources on scene include the Navajo Wildfire Module, San Carlos Wildfire Module, one type 3 helicopter, a bulldozer, and a Fire Line EMT. “The fire continues to burn in very steep and rugged canyons allowing very limited access to the fire,” shares the BIA update. “Using the dozer and fire modules road improvements near the fire’s edge have helped in keeping the fire to the west of nearby roads. Only 5 percent of the fire’s edge is workable by resources on the ground and they will continue to work this area.” About 5 to 10 acres of the fire has moved onto BLM land. Officials expect the fire to continue to burn and smoke over the next few weeks.
Photo Cred:
BIA Forestry & Wildland Fire – Uintah & Ouray Agency
