Brush Fire Near Fort Duchesne Closes US-40

Firefighters battle blaze that threatens highway travelers

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:18pm

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A brush fire near Fort Duchesne, Utah has prompted the closure of US-40 as firefighters work to contain the blaze. The Utah Highway Patrol has diverted westbound traffic at 8500 East and eastbound traffic at 7500 East while the fire is being fought.

Why it matters

US-40 is a major highway connecting Salt Lake City to eastern Utah, so the closure will disrupt travel in the region. Brush fires are a common occurrence in the dry Utah climate, and can pose a serious threat to public safety and infrastructure when they occur near populated areas or major transportation routes.

The details

According to the Utah Highway Patrol, the brush fire erupted on Tuesday and began threatening US-40, prompting the closure of the highway. Westbound traffic is being diverted at 8500 East, while eastbound traffic is being diverted at 7500 East as firefighters work to extinguish the blaze.

  • The brush fire started on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

The players

Utah Highway Patrol

The state law enforcement agency responsible for patrolling Utah's highways and responding to incidents like the brush fire that closed US-40.

Lt. Cam Roden

A spokesperson for the Utah Highway Patrol who provided details about the highway closure and traffic diversions.

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What’s next

Firefighters will continue working to extinguish the brush fire and reopen US-40 as soon as it is safe to do so.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing threat of brush fires in Utah's dry climate and the importance of highway infrastructure for regional travel, as the closure of US-40 will disrupt travel and commerce in the area until the fire can be brought under control.