Thompson Ridge Fire still burning, now over 7,200 acres

 

BEAVER, Utah — The Thompson Ridge Fire has been burning for over a week.  An update sent to KSL Newsradio on Aug. 14 said it has burned 7,289 acres and is 9% contained. It is still active in many areas, according to officials. 

Fire officials said lightning caused the active fire and it began burning in the Tushar Mountains, 10 miles southeast of Beaver. Fueled by mixed conifer and heavy dead/down timber, the flames began around 6 p.m. on Aug. 4, and crews have been battling the spread ever since. 

#ThompsonRidgeFire is a lightning caused wildfire SE of Beaver, UT and is now 250 acres. The fire was very active yesterday in dense dead and down timber. A Type 3 Team has been ordered. pic.twitter.com/4jpcUZK9dn

— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) August 7, 2023

Great Basin Team 5 is in command of the fire as of Friday morning. Recent reports affirm that the fire reached 7,289 acres. However, due to the wetter and cooler temperatures, little to no growth has occurred since Wednesday.

Central Utah Interagency Fire explained the steep and rugged terrain makes it difficult for crews to “determine best opportunities for suppression.” This has slowed progress in containing the flames. They said that firefighters are scouting for areas to conduct fireline construction west of the fire area as helicopters assist with bucket drops. 

As of Thursday night, the U.S. Forest Service implemented closures within these boundaries:

Beginning at the Forest Boundary on State Road 153 to the intersection of Forest Road 137, to Anderson Meadow, to Forest Road 1012, to Forest Road 140, to Forest Trail 068, to Forest Trail 008 where it meets with a private property boundary, to Forest Road 121 at the Forest Boundary, to Forest Road 516 at the Forest Boundary, to Forest Trail 32 at the Forest Boundary, to Forest Trail 34 where the boundary meets back with State Road 153.

Fire officials have not issued any evacuations, and no structures are threatened at this time. 

Related:

• SLC fire crews battle heat while preventing fire from spreading to foothills
• New fire start west of Strawberry Reservoir