Firefighter injured in human-caused fire threatening Highway 40, nearby homes
Mar 17, 2026, 5:32 PM | Updated: Mar 18, 2026, 2:55 pm
A brush fire threatened US-40 on Tuesday. (Utah Department of Transportation)
(Utah Department of Transportation)
SALT LAKE CITY — A firefighter was injured while fighting a human-caused wildland fire in Uintah County on Tuesday near Fort Duchesne, the Uintah Fire District said.
The fire district said no residents were evacuated as the blaze erupted and spread roughly 20 acres through “heavy brush and cottonwoods” around 4 p.m., near the intersection of Highway 40 and 7500 East.
According to the fire district, the firefighter was given first aid after getting injured while helping to suppress the flames. The firefighter was taken to a burn center for further treatment.
“Our thoughts are with the injured firefighter and their family,” the fire district said. “An investigation is being conducted into the origin of the fire and the firefighter’s injury.”
The fire district said although there was an initial evacuation warning, no homes were impacted by the fire and Highway 40 was temporarily shut down as firefighters worked.
This story may be updated as more information becomes available.
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