Castle Country has been quite smoky from what started as a prescribed burn on June 5 by Forest Service Fire and Fuels Crews. Regrettably, early in the process, Mother Nature decided not to cooperate with an unexpected thunderstorm and high winds both of which have fueled the fire.

“The Trail Mountain fire started out as a prescribed burn that became out of control. It’s jumped to East Mountain,” stated Carbon County Sheriff Jeff Wood. “They’re saying that it’s burned about 2,600 acres at this point and it’s still burning, it’s still out of control. I know of at least one structure that’s been destroyed in the fire and possibly two.” Any residents that may own a cabin on East Mountain in Emery County are asked to contact the Emery County Sheriff’s Office to submit a description of their cabin and any outbuildings, along with latitude/longitude or the general location of the cabin. This can be done by calling (435) 381-3404 between 8:30 am to 5:00 pm or (435) 749-0117 after hours.

Residents are asked to cooperate with the closures in place for the duration of the fire. “Stay out of the folks’ way let them do their job and also don’t be up on the mountain roads or up near the closure just because it will cause congestion up there and there are also firefighters on the ground and they need to be left to do their job as well,” stated Wood. Temporary closure of Indian Creek Campground, Forest Road 0040 (Cottonwood Canyon) has been implemented, as well as the closure of Forest Roads 0034, 2302, 2181, 2180, and 2182. Forest Trail 0051, the Trail Mountain CCC Trail. Closures are ordered for firefighter/public safety and will remain in place until the fire is controlled. Further closures may occur as necessary.

Officials have issued a Flight Restriction over the fire. “They are way busy and you know it just takes one mishap with an aircraft and a drone and disaster strikes,” said Wood. There is 259 personnel assigned to the fire, five helicopters and 11 engines. Only fire personnel is allowed within the burn area during firefighting operations.

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