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Six Utah wildfires continue to burn, but firefighters are making progress containing them

Some evacuations have been lifted near the Pack Creek Fire, and U.S. 6 near the Bear Fire was reopened.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Bear Fire burns in the mountains northwest of Helper on Wednesday, June 9, 2021.

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Several wildfires continue to burn across thousands of acres in Utah. But there is some good news: Firefighting crews are making progress.

The Bear Fire, which has been burning for nearly a week, has now scorched 10,526 acres, per Utah Fire Info. After the blaze was 5% contained on Saturday, it was 10% contained Sunday. Officials issued a red flag warning for the area, 4 miles northwest of Helper, due to high temperatures and windy conditions.

U.S. 6 reopened Saturday after being closed earlier in the week.

Utah Fire Info also tweeted that there will be a public meeting about the Bear Fire at 7 p.m. at the Rio Theatre.

The Pack Creek Fire grew to 5,424 acres but was approximately 6% contained Sunday morning. It was 0% contained Saturday.

San Juan County Sheriff Jason Torgerson lifted the evacuation order on the Pack Creek residential area early Sunday for homeowners and private property. Public and private lands “above Pack Creek and inside the forest boundary,” however, are still under an evacuation order.

“Firefighters are still working on the public lands around Pack Creek and it has not been deemed safe to lift the evacuation of those areas,” Torgerson said in a Facebook update.

(Photo courtesy of National Wildfire Coordinating Group) A map of the closure area due to the Pack Creek Fire.

The Bennion Creek Fire is 10% contained but has grown to 6,500 acres. The evacuation of Aspen Cove remains in effect.

The Mammoth Creek Fire is 72% contained compared to 40% on Saturday, and has burned 709 acres. FEMA funds were approved nearly a week ago in order to help fight the fire. The village of Mammoth Creek is still under evacuation.

The Broad Canyon Fire has reached 20% containment and has burned 97 acres, per Utah Fire Info. The cause was determined to be an “escaped campfire.”

No updates have been released on the East Canyon Fire, which reached 90% containment Thursday.