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SALT LAKE CITY — Fire officials reported significant progress Tuesday on two wildfires burning in Utah County.
The Bald Mountain Fire, located about one mile from Payson, was fully contained as of 7 p.m., according to incident information system Inciweb. The lightning-caused fire scorched an estimated 18,620 acres, or about 29 square miles, since it ignited on Aug. 24.
The Pole Creek Fire grew to 102,231 acres, or just under 160 square miles, and was 83 percent contained by Tuesday evening, officials said. The lightning-caused fire started Sept. 6 is burning about 12 miles northeast of Nephi.
A flash flood watch is in effect through the night as a wave of showers and thunderstorms are expected in the fire area. Cooler temperatures and more rain are expected on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
Evacuation orders for Right Fork Hobble Creek and Diamond Fork areas remain in effect, officials said.
Officials have also made progress on two fires that merged into one burning east of Kamas. The Murdock Fire was 10 percent contained and an estimated 5,592 acres, or about 7.7 square miles, as of Monday, fire officials said in a prepared statement on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Slate Fire was 34 percent contained and an estimated 666 acres.
Officials expect both fires to burn themselves out as the days get shorter, cooler and more humid.
Neither fire is threatening structures or resources as they burn out, officials said.
Smoke may be visible along Mirror Lake Highway for the next few weeks but motorists and residents are asked not to report it to authorities as they are already aware and monitoring it.
