Willow Springs fire burns two structures, 2nd fire starts in Box Elder County
Sep 11, 2024, 2:07 PM | Updated: Sep 12, 2024, 12:45 am
CORRINE, Box Elder County — Fire officials confirmed that two structures have burned in a human-caused wildfire in the Promontory Point area, one of two fires in Box Elder County. Winds are pushing the growing Willow Springs Fire that has reached 350 acres as of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources said the blaze burned structures that were part of its nursery facility for desert bighorn sheep. The approximately 1,000 acre area in the Boothe Valley near Promontory Point was purchased in the spring of 2023. Three bighorn sheep were killed in the fire of the roughly 38 on the property.
Also in Box Elder County, near Howell and visible from Interstate 84, another fire blazed to life. Dubbed the Feedlot Fire, it grew to approximately 150 acres, and like others, it was driven by strong winds. Box Elder County said is separate from the Willow Springs Fire. Officials asked people to avoid both areas.
The Willow Springs fire forced evacuations of homes east of Promontory Point. High winds are spreading the flames. Fire officials said East Promontory Road has been closed.
Early on, Utah Fire Info described the fire as running as it grew quickly. The organization said structures were threatened by the blaze in Box Elder County.
Utah’s DWR said it didn’t believe the remaining sheep are at risk from the fire.
This is breaking news and may be updated as more information becomes available.
