Press Release
June 11, 2021, at 9:10 a.m.
The Bear Fire, located about 4 miles northwest of Helper, Utah, has burned 8,332
acres based on an infrared flight conducted at about 2 a.m. Friday. The fire is 5
percent contained.
US-6 remains closed Friday morning from milepost 221 near the Emma Park Road
junction to milepost 230 near the US-191 junction. The highway will remain closed
until at least noon. The need for the closure is being reassessed by fire operations
personnel.
Drivers will need to use Emma Park Road and US-191 as an alternate route around the
closure and should expect delays in the area. The detour route adds about 8 miles
(12 minutes) to regular travel and allows drivers to access both directions on US-6.
Visit udottraffic.utah.gov, use the UDOT Traffic app or follow @UDOTTRAFFIC on
Twitter for updates on road closures.
When the highway does re-open, it is anticipated that the speed limit through the
fire area will be reduced, and a pilot car will be in use. Drivers should expect
delays and plan for additional travel times.
Despite extremely challenging weather conditions Thursday, firefighters were able to
hold the fire west of US-6 and keep it from reaching Helper. They will take
advantage of todays cooler temperatures and calmer winds to continue firing
operations along US-6, securing the fires edge along the highway. They will also
look for opportunities to engage the fire directly to build containment lines.
The Carbon County Sheriffs Office issued a pre-evacuation notice Thursday night for
10 residences in northwest Helper based on fire activity and the proximity of
firefighting operations. No evacuations have been ordered. The sheriffs office and
firefighters are re-evaluating the need for the pre-evacuation notice this morning.
There are more than 200 personnel assigned to the fire with a mix of hand crews and
engine crews. The Bear Fire continues to share resources with the Bennion Creek
Fire. A Type 2 incident management team will assume command of the fire at 6 p.m.
tonight.