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TOQUERVILLE, Washington County — A wildfire estimated to be about 350 acres in size was sparked by a vehicle dragging a chain near Toquerville on Monday afternoon. As of 9:20 p.m. all evacuations had been lifted and the fire was 30% contained.
Fire officials say the blaze, dubbed the Anderson Junction Fire, is being pushed by southwestern winds up to 30 mph and is burning northwest of Toquerville, not directly aimed at the town.
Around 6:40 p.m., 20 structures were evacuated in the area.
The fire had destroyed three outbuildings and damaged another as of Monday night.
Location on the #AndersonJunctionFirepic.twitter.com/utvQdjba2Q
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) May 18, 2020
Officials originally estimated the fire was 500 acres but later revised that number to about 350 acres.
The brush fire was caused by a vehicle dragging a chain, officials said Monday night.
The fire also forced the closure of both directions of state Route 17 from state Route 9 junction to just after Frontage Road, according to the Utah Department of Transportation. As of 8:30 p.m., the road had reopened.
About 75 personnel from several different agencies fought the fire as well as 23 engines, four water tenders, one heavy helicopter, four air tankers — two single engine, two large — and aerial supervision aircraft.
The cause of the fire is under investigation and no injuries had been reported as of Monday evening.
