PRICE, Utah – A fire that sparked Tuesday morning on Seeley Mountain in Emery County is forcing evacuations in Carbon County on Wednesday.
The Seeley Fire, located on Seeley Mountain between the left fork of Huntington Canyon and Horse Canyon in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, is believed to have been started by lightning. It has grown to an estimated 8,000 acres since being reported early Tuesday morning and is currently at zero containment.
Fire officials say that a Type 2 designation has been ordered for the fire Wednesday morning, the third fire in Utah to have that designation.
In Carbon County, Clear Creek, Hiawatha, Scofield and Wattis are under mandatory evacuation. SR-96 is also closed leading into Scofield at the junction of US-6.
The Wellington Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (950 East Main Street in Wellington) has been designated as the evacuation center for Carbon County evacuees.
Large animals (cattle and horses) can be taken to the Carbon County Fairgrounds. Dogs and cats can be temporarily housed at the new animal shelter on Airport Road.
Huntington Canyon, Gentry Mountain, North Skyline Drive and the north Miller’s Flat areas are currently under evacuation. SR-31 was shut down Tuesday and used as an evacuation route; it remains closed on Wednesday.
The Skyline Coal Mine in Carbon County evacuated after voluntary evacuation orders were given.
Crews say high winds and steep terrain are hampering their firefighting efforts.

Vernon Leamaster

Vernon Leamaster

HUNTINGTON - Vernon Leamaster, age 96, passed away at his home, May 28, 2012 surrounded by his family.
He was born July 10, 1915 in West Hiawatha to John Martin Leamaster and Millie Whiting, the thirteenth of fourteen children. Vernon married Leora Jensen in Price on Feb. 1, 1936. Their marriage was later solemnized Nov. 19, 1948 in the Manti LDS Temple.
Vernon's early life experiences in West Hiawatha included a secret cave hideout and horseback trips to Huntington and Price. At age eight, the family moved to Provo for a couple of years.
They returned to Castle Valley, settling in Huntington where Vernon lived until he and Leora married in 1936 whereupon they moved to live and work in the coal mine at Hiawatha. In 1944, their small family moved to Huntington; and after several temporary abodes, built the family home in 1951 where Vernon and Leora resided for the remainder of their lives.
In 1944 Vernon and his brothers opened the Leamaster Coal Mine in Huntington Canyon. In the early 1960's, the mine was closed and Vernon worked for the State of Utah Highway Department on the I-70 construction project.
In 1965 he went to work for Emery County, where he was well known and respected as the County Road Supervisor, a position he held until his retirement in 1982.
Vernon was always engaged with civic and church activities. He served on the Huntington city council and was a long time member of the volunteer fire department, was a member of the Emery County Sheriff's Posse and also served Emery County as the Civil Defense Director. For many years, Vernon, accompanied by Dean Young, placed American flags along Main Street in Huntington for all of the holidays.
He was very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he had the privilege of serving in five different Bishoprics including serving as Bishop of the Huntington 1st Ward from 1966 to 1972. Vernon and Leora served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Carolina from 1989 to 1990. They also served as temple workers in the Manti Temple.
Vernon was always a dedicated father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Seldom did any activities involving family members or friends go unattended. He never gave his hard working hands much rest, continually finding opportunities to help build homes for his children, grandchildren and others as well as countless community service and charitable activities.
He will always be known for his charity, gentle ways, positive outlook, excellent advice and kind words for and about every person he knew or met.
He is survived by daughters Edna Kay Fox and Terri Ann (David) Papenfuss, sons Darrel (LaRae) Leamaster and Lynn (LeIla) Leamaster, 20 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Leora Jensen Leamaster, an infant daughter, grandson David Leamaster, great-grandson Jade Sharp. Vernon was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Funeral services will be held Friday, June 1, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Huntington 1st & 5th LDS Ward Building (115 S. 400 E.). There will be a viewing at the church Thursday, May 31 from 6 - 8 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will be in the Cleveland City Cemetery. Services are in the care of Fausett Mortuary. Family and friends may sign the guestbook and share memories of Vernon at www.fausettmortuary.com.