Large wildfire raging on Antelope Island


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ANTELOPE ISLAND — A large wildfire raged at Antelope Island State Park Friday, causing the cancellation of Pioneer Day weekend festivities scheduled there, authorities said.

The fire, between 200 and 300 acres in size, was likely caused by lightning Thursday, though fire crews weren't dispatched to it until early Friday evening, the Utah Department of Natural Resources said.

The fire is centered in an area several miles northwest of the Fielding Garr Ranch area of the island. Nearby campgrounds, 70 percent of which were being used Friday night, were not threatened.

A few campsites were evacuated to make way for a helicopter staging area beginning Saturday morning, when air and ground crews were expected to begin attacking the fire more thoroughly.

A Pioneer Day celebration scheduled for Saturday on the island was canceled because of the blaze.

Crews fighting the fire Friday night were from the Syracuse Fire Department and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.

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Ben Lockhart

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