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PROMONTORY, Box Elder County — Saturday's storms helped those battling a 4,200 acre fire near Promontory Point as they reached 100 percent containment on the blaze.
But winds fueled a smaller blaze in a small community near Moab.
Crews had reached 50 percent containment on the Long Canyon Fire near Promontory Point before having to halt their firefighting efforts for a short time Saturday, said Jason Curry of Utah's Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. The wet weather made conditions unsafe for those battling the blaze.
"It's going to be real slick and the rain brings with it a little possibility of lightning," Curry said.
But when officials returned to the area mid-afternoon, they were able to completely contain the fire, which was started by lightning early Thursday.
Curry said Saturday's heavy rains dampened the fire, kept its temperatures low and allowed firefighters to get close enough to hot spots to set about extinguishing them.
No property was damaged in the fire and there have been no injuries reported.
A 20-acre fire in the small Grand County community of Castle Valley claimed three structures, though. A barn, storage shed and historic cabin were consumed by the blaze, Moab Fire Chief Corky Brewer said.
Castle Valley Mayor Dave Erley said the damage was minimal considering the winds in the area and HE expressed gratitude that no lives were lost.
Brewer described the wind in the area as "treacherous" and said it reached speeds of 50 to 60 mph. Still, the fire was contained and did not require any evacuations.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Meantime, Brewer was keeping his eye on a large fire that originated in Paradox, Colo. The Sunrise Mine fire started around 5 p.m. Friday and reached 2,800 acres Saturday.
The Montrose Interagency Fire Management Unit, Montrose County Sherriff's Posse, Paradox Volunteer Fire Department, Gateway Fire Department, Nucla/Naturita Volunteer Fire Department, Manti-La Sal National Forest, Upper Colorado Fire Management Unit and the Bureau of Land Management-Colorado and Utah all offered help to fight the blaze.
But whether the fire makes its way to Utah could come down to the wind, Brewer said.
"One second it's going to Colorado the next it's coming to Utah," he said. "That's why were concerned."
