MYTON, Utah — The state’s largest current wildfire reached 2,700 acres in the Uintah Basin Tuesday.
The East Myton Complex Fire marks an early start to the state’s fire season. It was 25 percent contained as of Tuesday evening.
Great day on the #EastMyton fire today. Containment now at 25%. Mop up will continue tomorrow. #ffslme
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) March 30, 2021
“It was really scary. We thought we were trapped,” said Tammi Trane.
Two fires burning east of Myton in Duchesne County merged, nearly surrounding the Trane home Monday. With seconds to spare, firefighters rescued Tammi, three daughters and two grandchildren.
“You could see the smoke getting darker and thicker and we just thought, ‘I hope it’s not the house,'” Trane said.
While the fire burned the porch, firefighters saved the Trane home and nine others at risk… despite wind gusts reaching above 50 miles per hour.
On Tuesday, nearly 100 firefighters worked to contain Utah’s first major wildfire of the season that caused evacuations.
“You could look around and see it’s just tinder-dry out here already,” said fire spokesperson Mike Eriksson.
The state’s extreme drought is expected to create a busy fire season, especially as long-range forecasts call for drier than normal conditions.
Experts call it a worst-case scenario.
“We are setting up for a long fire season here,” Eriksson said.
While the Trane family lost a coop full of chickens and ducks, they’re thankful the fire did not take more.
“I’m amazed that they could save our home. All of us still have our homes,” said Trane.
The fire is still under investigation but believed to be human-caused.
