Lightning Culprit For Multiple Fire Starts Over Several Days
Aug 25, 2020, 11:16 AM | Updated: 11:36 am
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Lightning caused multiple new wildfires over several days across the state.
Utah Fire Info reported the most recent one, the Scrub Fire, is located in Washington County near Utah Hill. As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, it was estimated to be approximately 400 acres and is zero percent contained.
NEW START
Resources are suppressing the #ScrubFire located in Washington County near Utah Hill. Estimated at 500 acres, lightning-caused and no structures threatened. Access into the fire is difficult. 1 crew, 1 engine and air attack are assigned, another crew ordered. #ffslkw pic.twitter.com/KFnYC18ppf— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) August 25, 2020
Resources from both Utah and Arizona are working on the Scrub Fire, which is located in terrain that is difficult to access, according to authorities. It’s located on the west side of Scrub Peak in southwest Washington County, just east of Highway 91.
Near the Beaver-Iron County line, the Baboon Fire has been burning since Aug. 23. It is currently at 300 acres and is 20% contained.
Two lightning-caused fires are currently burning near each other in Millard County. The fires started Aug. 23 and 24, and are named the Gray Hill Fire and the Gray Hill 2 Fire, respectively. Officials estimate hey’ve burned a combined 1,600 acres.
The largest active lightning-caused fire is currently burning in Duchesne County. The East Fork Fire began Aug. 20 and has burned 2,752 acres. It is 5% contained.
🔥 185 people are assigned to the 2,752 acre #EastForkFire on the #AshleyNationalForest. Steep terrain and numerous standing dead trees in the wilderness make it difficult to safely suppress the full fire perimeter. Read more details and see larger map → https://t.co/qsXIpI5MKa. pic.twitter.com/uQjlgFJIlq
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) August 25, 2020
In Uintah County, the Split Fire has reportedly been burning since June. According to Utah Fire Info, it has remained relatively small at 18 acres and is 40% contained.
There are two other wildfires burning in the state as well.
In Wasatch County, the human-caused Upper Provo Wildfire has burned 480 acres since July 31. It’s 84% contained. And in Sevier County, the Cowboy Fire, also human-caused, has burned 530 acres and is 25% contained. The Cowby Fire began on Aug. 16.