The Latest: Utah lake closed for firefighters to tap water


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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Latest on wildfires burning in the West (all times local):

3:20 p.m.

U.S. Forest Service officials say a wildfire that closed a northern Utah reservoir appears to have been started by a campfire.

Forest service spokesman Willie Begay says officials are still investigating who might have started the campfire before it got out of control on July 28.

Begay says the person who started the campfire could face penalties but he didn't have details on what they might be.

The wildfire on Monday had burned more than 6 square miles in a forest east of Park City.

Officials have closed a nearby reservoir to boats so helicopters can scoop up water and drop it on the wildfire.

Fishing is still allowed on the shores of Smith-Morehouse Reservoir but a campground and boat ramp were closed.

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10:55 a.m.

U.S. Forest Service officials have closed a northern Utah reservoir to boats so helicopters can scoop up water and drop it on a wildfire that's been burning for a month.

Fire spokeswoman Dana Howlett said Monday that the wildfire burning in a forest east of Park City has charred more than 6 square miles.

A prohibition on boating starting on Sunday was extended to Monday for the helicopters' repeat visits to Smith-Morehouse Reservoir.

Fishing is still allowed on the reservoir's shores but a campground and boat ramp were closed.

Howlett says firefighters succeeded Sunday in preventing the fire from spreading and that no structures are immediately threatened.

The fire started on July 28.

An investigation of the cause is still underway.

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5:36 a.m.

Fire officials in southern California say a car driven by a woman high on drugs has sparked several wildfires that so far have burned 450 acres and prompted evacuations.

Authorities say Renee Hogan was arrested Sunday. The California Highway Patrol tells KCRA-TV that Hogan was driving on the right rear rim of her 2002 Kia Rio, which was emitting sparks that caused the blaze. KCRA reports no buildings have burned, but some people have been forced to leave their homes. Hogan's car was torched by the flames.

The state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says it has filed additional charges against Hogan related to the fires.

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