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New Utah wildfire sparks, burning over 400 acres in Uintah County

The Red Bridge Fire is not currently threatening any homes or infrastructure, an official said.

(Bureau of Indian Affairs) The Red Bridge Fire burns north of the Duchesne River on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation on Sunday, April 23, 2023.

A new Utah wildfire has burned over 400 acres in Uintah County as of Monday night.

The Red Bridge Fire was discovered Sunday and has burned 452 acres so far on land managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, according to Utah Wildfire Info, which said the fire was 90% contained as of Monday night.

No residents have been evacuated, and although there is natural gas infrastructure in the area, it is not considered threatened, said Chris Secakuku, forest manager with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Uintah and Ouray Agency.

The Utah National Guard sent two Black Hawk helicopters to drop water on the fire Monday afternoon, and Secakuku said crews made “great progress” with their assistance.

As of Monday night, no cause for the fire had been determined.

The fire is burning on the north side of the Duchesne River in riparian terrain that has cottonwood trees, heavy brush, grass and cattails, Secakuku said.

The Red Bridge Fire marks the first larger wildfire of the year, said Kayli Guild, communications and prevention coordinator with Forestry, Fire & State Lands.