The Deer Creek Fire burning in the La Sal Mountains has reached 77% containment, but popular Grand County recreation areas including Geyser Pass access roads remain closed indefinitely. While firefighters made significant progress Tuesday with minimal fire growth, the closures continue to impact local access to favorite hiking trails, camping spots, and scenic drives in the La Sals.
The incident management team is now working to downsize assigned resources as the fire approaches full containment. Some resources have already been released, with more expected to be reassigned in coming days as management transitions to a smaller organization for continued patrol operations.
According to the latest update from the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 4, the fire has burned 17,648 acres, with just 120 acres of new growth reported Tuesday. Fire activity remained minimal, with no anticipated growth in the coming days, though crews remain vigilant for potential outflow winds from storm cells.
Join 1,000+ locals staying informed during wildfire season.
Road Closures and Access Restrictions
Multiple road closures remain in effect across the La Sal Mountains region for public safety during ongoing firefighting operations. County roads within the San Juan County evacuation area are closed to public traffic.
Anyone traveling along the Highway 46/90 corridor near the Utah-Colorado border should check current road conditions and be aware of changing conditions. The public is asked to avoid the area of the old airport landing strip in Spanish Valley to allow helicopters and crews to operate safely.
Complete closure information and maps are available at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/utmlf-deer-creek.
The Manti-La Sal National Forest closure order affects numerous recreation areas popular with Grand County residents. The Buckeye Recreation Area and Carpenter Ridge areas remain completely closed to public access.
As of July 21, the U.S. Forest Service significantly reduced the closure area for the Deer Creek Fire. Areas such as Geyser Pass Road, La Sal Pass Road, and key trailheads along the Whole Enchilada mountain bike route have reopened.
The closure order runs through August 15, though forest officials have not indicated when recreation access might be restored even after the fire reaches full containment. The estimated fire containment date is August 7.
How to Help: Donation Information
Residents wanting to support fire response efforts can donate through the American Red Cross Broad Support for Utah Disaster Readiness and Response Efforts, which includes Deer Creek Fire response. Donations can be made online at RedCross.org/Give or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
According to information from USU Grand County Extension, while funding cannot be designated exclusively to the Deer Creek Fire, all contributions support disaster relief efforts in the region, including preparedness and response across county lines.
Officials are asking residents to hold off on physical donations for now. For those wanting to provide snacks for firefighters, only store-bought, pre-packaged items can be accepted for safety reasons.
Emergency Information for Residents
Grand County residents can stay informed about fire conditions and any potential impacts through multiple channels. While no Grand County evacuations are currently in effect, residents should monitor conditions if they live in areas with La Sal Mountains views or have property near forest boundaries.
Current evacuation information can be found on the San Juan County Facebook page. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts through:
Fire Information and Updates
For the latest information on the Deer Creek Fire:
- Fire Information Line: 385.393.0516
- Email: 2025.deercreek@firenet.gov
- InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/utmlf-deer-creek
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/UtahWildfire
Appreciate the coverage? Help keep local news alive.
Chip in to support the Moab Sun News.
