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TOQUERVILLE, Washington County — Firefighters secured 100% containment on a 786-acre wildfire that destroyed three outbuildings and damaged another in southwest Utah, officials said on Tuesday.
The Anderson Junction Fire, burning near the intersection of state Route 17 and I-15, was estimated to be about 350 acres on Tuesday morning, but officials later said it was 786 acres after using more accurate GPS mapping.
Crews had gained 50% containment of the blaze earlier Tuesday and by 5 p.m. it had reached 100% containment, but was still smoldering.
The brush fire started about 3:30 p.m. Monday and was caused by a vehicle dragging a chain, officials said.
Critical fire weather advisories are in effect across much of the state due to strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures. https://t.co/qzMfc2MXjB
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) May 19, 2020
Check vehicles for dragging parts before driving and avoid burning debris or using equipment like lawn mowers. pic.twitter.com/ISWsW2h0qp
About 20 homes were evacuated Monday afternoon, but by late evening all evacuations had been lifted. No injuries have been reported in the blaze.
About 55 firefighters and seven engines from Hurricane Valley Fire District, the state of Utah, U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management were assigned to fight the blaze Tuesday, officials said.
Some fire crews will remain in the area to monitor the fire over the next few days, according to a Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands news release.
Contributing: Lauren Bennett, KSL.com
