Crews track 9 wildfires across Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — Crews are working on nine active wildfires that have blackened more than 150,000 acres across the state.

Two new fires — the Millville Canyon and Shingle fires — were sparked over the weekend.

Southern Utah fires

• The Shingle Fire ignited in Southern Utah, near Swain's Creek in Kane County. By Monday evening, the fire had grown to 3,000 acres. "This is a very fluid fire. It's got a lot of fuel in which to burn from," said inter-agency fire information officer Mark Wilkening said. Mandatory evacuations are in effect for the Swains Creek, Stout Canyon, Ponderosa, Elk Ridge and Harris Flat subdivisions southeast of Cedar City. People camping in Uinta Flat have been advised to leave but have not been ordered to evacuate. The flames have also shut down state Route 14 from Mammoth Junction to U.S. 89, as well as numerous Forest Service road closures in the fire area.

Northern Utah fires

• Fire officials now say the Millville Canyon Fire near Logan has burned 109 acres as of Monday morning. Two helicopters, about 70 firefighters and one water tender are fighting the fire and working to keep it east of the power lines on the Bonneville Shoreline trail. No structures are threatened. Firefighters expected to have the fire fully contained by 10 p.m. Monday. Investigators say target shooters started the fire.
• Meanwhile, crews spent the day Monday putting out hotspots at one of the smallest fires: the Rose Crest Fire. The Rose Crest fire started Friday afternoon near Herriman. It quickly consumed over 600 acres and destroyed four homes but is now 100 percent contained. Investigators say it was started when a hot car was parked on dry grass.

Central Utah fires

• The largest of the fires, the Clay Springs Fire, continues to grow near Oak City outside Delta. It has blackened about 94,000 acres and destroyed one home. It is now about 50 percent contained. The fire commander in charge of that fire has lifted an evacuation order.
• Another fast-growing fire, the Seeley Fire, is burning 15 miles north of Huntington. A bolt of lightning sparked the fire on June 26, and by Monday evening it had burned nearly 33,500 acres. So many fires are burning in Utah right now that a crew from eastern Arizona is taking the lead on the Seeley Fire. It is only 5 percent contained. Miller's Flat was evacuated Monday. Evacuations in Hiawatha, Wattis and Clear Creek remain in effect. The Boy Scout camp at Scofield Reservoir and all boat camps and state park campgrounds are still evacuated. But the evacuation of the town of Scofield has been lifted to permanent residents, by permit only. The fire has also forced the closure of state Route 31 from Fairview to Huntington; U.S. 96 from state Route 6 to state Route 284 and Miller's Flat Road from Scad Valley to state Route 31 are also closed.
• Crews completely contained the once-massive Wood Hollow Fire during the night. Residents were able to return to their homes over the weekend. That fire burned more than 47,000 acres, destroyed 52 residences and 108 out-buildings, and claimed the life of one person.

Eastern Utah fires

• The Pole Creek Fire near Neola was 75 percent contained Monday night, with full containment expected sometime Tuesday. The fire started Wednesday and has burned 2,028 acres. Its cause is still under investigation, but fireworks were found in the area.
• The Wolf Den Fire, burning 35 miles south of Vernal, has burned approximately over 16,000 acres and was 20 percent contained Monday night. The fire is reported to be growing toward the east. Firefighters are working to protect numerous oil and gas resources in the area. Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 2 assumed management of the fire Monday morning. The blaze started June 29 from a lightning strike.
• Evacuation orders for the Church Camp Fire remain in place for Argyle Canyon. Argyle Canyon Road was closed to allow fire traffic safe access. The fire has spread to 5,950 acres but was reported at 60 percent containment Monday evening. Full containment is expected by July 15.

Contributing: Jeff Finley

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