The Slough Canyon Fire has reached 4,668 acres in a remote area of the Book Cliffs on Uintah and Ouray Tribal Lands, according to an incident report. The wildfire, which started on Saturday, August 15, was caused by lightning and is located 41 miles east of Price, Utah.
Current data shows the fire is 25% contained. Firefighters are working to keep the blaze west of Chandler canyon, south of Moonwater Canyon, east of Moonwater Point, and between Joe Hilch Creek and Florence Creek.
Direct ground engagement is currently unsafe due to steep canyons and heavy mixed-conifer stands. Crews are utilizing natural barriers, such as ridges and bare canyon walls, along with containment lines being constructed on the plateau to manage the fire. A total of 75 personnel are working on the incident.
The fire is making uphill runs and remains active in sage flats. Growth is being influenced by gusty outflow winds when storm cells move over the fire area. There is a high potential for growth due to these winds, and the fire is likely to continue making uphill runs from the canyons onto the plateau.
Fuels involved in the fire include timber, brush, tall grass, and understory.
Weather conditions include temperatures in the mid to high 80s and relative humidity in the teens. Southwest winds are expected at 15 mph throughout the afternoon, with gusty and erratic winds of 30-40 mph expected when storm systems move over the area. While cloud cover and the chance of precipitation are expected to increase this evening, the chance of wetting rain remains at 10%.
