Traffic Alert: US-40 closed near Fort Duchesne due to East Ute Plaza Fire, currently at 5 acres
FORT DUCHESNE, Utah (ABC4) — A brush fire broke out on US-40 near Fort Duchesne on Tuesday afternoon. It burned a total of 20 acres and closed US-40 to all traffic, though the road has since reopened. According to the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), US-40 was closed to both eastbound and westbound traffic near milepost 122 in Fort Duchesne, though it has since fully reopened. Utah Fire Info confirmed that this was due to a brush fire, called the East Ute Plaza Fire, that burned 20 acres. Fortunately, according to the Bureau of Land Management, they were able to put out the fire. Federal, state, and local agencies are staying the area throughout the night to monitor the area and for cleanup. The fire reportedly burned river bottom vegetation and cottonwood trees, which are reportedly very flammable during peak fire season. While the fire has been put out, its proximity to the highway led to US-40 closures in both directions for several hours, which has since reopened. Additionally, BLM confirmed that evacuation warnings were in place, though they were only precautionary. Fortunately, there was no damage to any residences or any actual evacuations. At this time, officials have not determined the cause of the fire, and it remains an active investigation. However, a spokesperson with BLM said, "We're experiencing well above normal temps…practice fire safety as if it were the summer" According to Utah Fire Info, Utah has had 44 fires so far this year, which have burned approximately 204 acres. Of those fires, 37 have been human caused and seven have had an unknown cause.
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