SALT LAKE CITY — New wildfires prompted some evacuations in Box Elder and Tooele counties Wednesday, according to Utah Fire Info.
A fire west of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Box Elder County has burned more than 350 acres. Structures are threatened, and “a couple of homes are being evacuated,” Utah Fire Info reports. Named the Willow Springs fire, the burn is suspected to be human-caused.
The fire burned down two buildings which are part of a nursery facility for Bighorn Sheep. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said three sheep were killed, but the other 38 sheep on the property are not believed to be at risk.
A second fire in Box Elder County sparked Wednesday evening near Howell. County fire officials said on social media the blaze, dubbed the Feedlot Fire, had grown to 150 acres by 9:30 p.m.
The fire is visible from I-84 and there are two structures at risk.
South Willow Fire
In Tooele County, immediate evacuation of North Willow Canyon was ordered by the North Tooele Fire District due to a 100-acre fire believed to have been started by lightning. The blaze, dubbed the South Willow Fire, is on private land near the Stansbury mountains, west of the Tooele Army Depot, and is fueled by high winds in the area.
The evacuation primarily affected campers, but the order was lifted just before 5 p.m. Crews are still actively fighting the fire amid already smoky and windy conditions.
By 9 p.m., crews mapped the fire at 48 acres and 10% contained.
Several local, state and federal fire engines are at the scene, as well as air support. Bulldozers, crews and more air resources have also been ordered.
Rudd Creek fire
A 20-acre fire first reported Tuesday night is burning on the south side of Farmington Canyon in the Rudd Creek drainage area. U.S. Forest Service spokesman Toby Weed said it is likely to get bigger over the next few days and 50 firefighters are on the scene.
Officials are urging people keep emergency phone lines open by not reporting the fire. There are no evacuations or structures threatened by this fire.
A red flag warning was issued Wednesday for areas west of I-15, including St. George, central Utah and eastern Utah, due to southwesterly winds with gusts up to 35 to 45 mph, and relative humidity levels under 14%.
Contributing: Andrews Adams
