3 injured after UTV explodes, sparks wildfire in American Fork Canyon


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AMERICAN FORK CANYON — Three people were injured when a UTV exploded, sparking a wildfire in American Fork Canyon on Sunday.

Lone Peak Fire Chief Joseph McRae said a family of four were riding a UTV when something went terribly wrong.

"Apparently, it had some mechanical problems," said McRae.

The UTV burst into flames, sending 3 of the 4 individuals, a woman and two children, to the hospital. Lone Peak Fire District said two individuals injured were taken to American Fork Hospital. The other individual injured, a 7-year-old child, was taken to University of Utah Burn Center.

"The 7 year old is in more serious condition. She had second degree burns on 40 percent of her body," McRae said.

The fire is located at the Junction of Major Evans Gulch and North Fork of American Fork Canyon, northeast of Tibble Fork Reservoir. Officials asked the public to avoid the area. Forest visitors that were camping in dispersed sites near the fire area where asked to move out of the area due fire activity and fire crews and equipment, according to a statement from Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest officials.

As of late Sunday night, the fire had burned 15 acres and was zero percent contained.

Two helicopters and two engines were on the scene. Two handcrews were ordered to help put out the fire.

Lone Peak Fire officials are looking into what may have caused that UTV to explode.

Contributing: Nicole Vowell

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