The Neola North Fire was a major wildfire which occurred in the Ashley National Forest in northeastern Utah. It was blamed for three fatalities,Quick-Moving Utah Wildfire Kills 3 Men, Fox News, June 30, 2007 the destruction of at least 12 homes,Neola North wildfire contained at 50%, Associated Press, July 4, 2007 the burning of of land,Interstates closed again for record setting Utah wildfire, SignOnSanDiego.com, July 9, 2007 and led to the evacuation of about 500 local residents.Killer Utah fire still raging, Deseret News, July 1, 2007
At its peak the wildfire was fought by more than 700 firefighters,Utah wildfire, spreading in national forest, might burn all summer, incident commander says, USA Today, July 4, 2007 and gained extensive media attention in the United States3 dead in Utah wildfire, USA Today, June 30, 2007 and limited attention internationally.Dozens of Wildfires Ravage the West, Guardian Unlimited, July 10, 2007
Outbreak The fire broke out on Friday, June 29, 2007, at around 9:00 a.m. local time in Duchesne County, north of the unincorporated community of Neola. The source of the fire was Ute tribal land next to state route 121. It proceeded to spread eastward into Uintah County, and threatened the small communities of Whiterocks, Farm Creek, and Paradise.
One branch of the fire was prevented from spreading westwards before it reached Dry Creek Canyon and the town of Tridell. Another branch spread north into the Uintah mountains via Uintah Canyon, in land devoid of residential homes.
Cause The cause of the wildfire is currently under investigation. An early report by public safety officials claimed, it was caused by a faulty power line or transformer. However, a later announcement by Moon Lake Electric Association CEO Grant Earl disputed this.
Witnesses later came forward to state they had seen the nebulous wildfire as they traveled along State Route 121. But having taken photos of the early fire and offered assistance to contain it they were refused access to the land by a Ute tribal member.White Rocks residents returning home. Did tribal member stop 2 from putting out blaze in early stages? Deseret News, July 2, 2007
As of July 11, 2007, the investigation into the cause of the wildfire was being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the U.S. Forest Service.Funerals today for Neola fire victims; investigators probe cause of blaze, Deseret News, July 5, 2007
External links Wikinews article Utah Fire Info
References