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MAPLETON, Utah County — Four wildfires covering about 1,650 combined acres were burning simultaneously in southeast Utah County Tuesday, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
None of the lightning-caused fires were considered a direct threat to any structures in the area Tuesday, authorities say. They were burning in mountainous areas several miles east of Mapleton.
"These lightning fires are being managed to allow fire to play its natural role, improving forest health, reducing hazardous fuels and improving wildlife habitat without posing undue risk to people or property," Forest Service spokeswoman Kathy Pollock said in a statement.
Diamond Fork Road was closed from the Springville Crossing area to the Three Forks trailhead, according to Pollock. Trails and roads stemming off Sheep Creek Road were also temporarily closed due to the nearby fires.
The largest wildfire is the Jocks Canyon Fire, which was recorded at 824 acres Tuesday and was burning south of Diamond Fork Canyon. The Sawmill Fire, about halfway between Mapleton and Strawberry Reservoir, had reached 550 acres Tuesday. Located just a few miles east of that were the Pack Fire, measured at 266 acres, and the Two Time Fire, which had burned 38 acres.
Firefighters were monitoring each of the fires.
Smoke was visible throughout the area, according to Pollock. She asked people in the area not to extinguish any part of the wildfires or call 911 to report them.
