Oneida Fire 100 percent contained
UPDATE 9/20/18 6:00 p.m. The Bureau of Land Management reports the Oneida Fire is now 100 percent contained.
It started Wednesday afternoon approximately six miles northeast of Preston on private property.
Winds tested containment lines through the day, which held the fire to 911 acres.
Fire managers have called the Oneida Fire 100 percent contained as of 6 p.m. Thursday.
The burned area’s interior is still smoldering and firefighters will continue mopping up hot spots until the fire can be called fully controlled and out.
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UPDATE: 9-20-18 8:50 a.m. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management reports the Oneida Fire, which started on private land about six miles northeast of Preston at around 4 p.m. Wednesday, is now estimated at approximately 1,000 acres. It is 30 percent contained Thursday morning and expected to be fully contained sometime Friday.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. There are ranches in the area of the fire, but none were immediately threatened. Thee have been no evacuations or closures.
The fire was creeping through grass, brush and maples on steep terrain. Heightened fire activity was expected with higher temperatures and winds Thursday afternoon.
Six engines, two dozers, a hand crew, and a helicopter were ordered to help fight the fire Thursday. Three county engines and one county water tender were also assisting.
Firefighters said firelines held through the night. Firefighters were working to further secure the fire perimeter with additional dozer lines today.
ORIGINAL STORY:
The Oneida Fire is burning six miles northeast of Preston on the hills in the small town of Mink Creek.
State Highway 36 runs right through the town, traveling between Franklin County and Bear Lake County. The highway is closed on both sides of Emigration Canyon according to the Bear Lake County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
The Oneida Fire is 1,000 acres according to the Bureau of Land Management. It started just before 4:30 p.m. Wednesday on state land. The cause is still under investigation. It is 0% contained as of Wednesday night.
No structures are threatened at this time. Twenty-five personnel, six engines, and two dozers are fighting the fire. Two witnesses told Eyewitness News 3 anchor Todd Kunz that they saw dumper planes dropping retardant and water.
