Stookey

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Stookey Fire ignited on Friday, July 10, 2026. It is located west of Vernon in Tooele County, Utah, on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands managed by the Salt Lake Field Office, approximately 9 miles east of Dugway.
Size and Containment: As of the latest updates over the weekend of July 25-26, 2026, the fire has burned 11,881 acres and is currently 90% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire is primarily fueled by dry grass, sagebrush, and six-foot-tall chaparral. It expanded rapidly in its first few days, growing from an initial 300 acres to 4,000 acres over its first weekend due to erratic winds, eventually reaching over 11,800 acres.
Containment Efforts: Ground crews and air assets have been actively engaged in suppression. Firefighters utilized indirect suppression on the east and west flanks and direct suppression in Rock Canyon. Current efforts over the last 72 hours are focused on mopping up remaining heat pockets, securing the west ridgeline, and extinguishing smoldering roots and stumps within the fire perimeter.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: There are currently no mandatory evacuation orders in place.
Evacuation Warnings: Communities on the east side of the fire were previously placed under a "READY" evacuation status, advising residents to prepare for potential evacuations.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: Tooele County Emergency Management uses GenaSys Protect to issue emergency alerts and evacuation maps. Residents should ensure they are registered for local alerts.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• Portions of Pony Express Road remain closed, specifically between Last Chance Road and Lookout Pass, as well as at State Route 36.
• Sharp Road is closed.
• Hatch Road is closed between State Route 199 and Pony Express Road.
• No school closures are currently reported, as the fire is burning in remote areas during the summer break.

For more information, visit:

• Utah Fire Info
• Tooele County Emergency Management
• National Weather Service - Salt Lake City

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: Fortunately, there have been no injuries or fatalities reported in connection with the Stookey Fire.
Structures Impacted: The fire has been burning in remote terrain, and no structures are currently threatened or have been destroyed.
School and Business Closures: No notable business or school closures have been reported.
Notable Impacts: The fire has temporarily impacted local recreation and grazing areas on BLM lands.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: No significant power outages have been reported due to this fire.
Burn Bans: Utah is currently under Stage 2 fire restrictions. This means no open fires of any kind are allowed on all state lands, unincorporated private lands, BLM-managed public lands, and National Park Service lands.
Air Quality: Smoke from the Stookey Fire is contributing to localized air quality impacts. Residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, are advised to stay indoors and monitor air quality alerts.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: With the fire now at 90% containment, crews are making excellent progress. Firefighters will remain on the scene to strengthen containment lines and monitor for any flare-ups, particularly as hot and dry conditions persist. Full containment is expected in the coming days if weather conditions permit.
Weather and Wind Warnings: A Heat Advisory is in effect for northwest Utah through Monday. Temperatures are expected to reach around 100°F with low humidity, providing little overnight relief. Monsoonal moisture may bring cloud cover and a 30% chance of precipitation, but it also carries the risk of erratic, gusty winds near thunderstorms, which could challenge existing containment lines.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: Official reports indicate the Stookey Fire was human-caused, though the exact circumstances remain under investigation.
Weather and Climate: Extreme fire weather has played a significant role in the fire's behavior. Utah is experiencing severe summer conditions fueled by prolonged drought, multi-day red flag conditions, and extreme heat. Dry monsoons and historically dry vegetation have created highly volatile fuels, allowing the fire to ignite easily and spread rapidly across the landscape.

For more information, visit:

• Utah Fire Info Dashboard
• Tooele County Emergency Management
• National Weather Service - Salt Lake City