Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MINERSVILLE — Lightning is suspected of starting a 4,000-acre wildfire near the border of Beaver and Iron counties Friday afternoon. By Saturday morning, officials reported the blaze area had doubled to 8,500 acres.
According to spokeswoman Kelly Washburn, the fire is believed to have started around 4:30 p.m. north of Badger Peak and west of Minersville. A crew of three helicopters, three single-engine air tankers and seven wildland trucks are battling the blaze, which has not been contained as of Saturday night.
Several public lands roads were closed in the area, but no major roads or structures are threatened, fire officials say.
Saturday evening, U.S. Bureau of Land Management fire spokesman Nick Powell said the blaze had grown about 50 additional acres, but added, "I think things are probably looking fairly good."
A possible breakout from the main fire is being reported in an area about 18 miles north of Cedar City and five miles south of Minersville, Powell said.
----
Written by Geoffrey Fattahwith contributions from Ladd Brubaker
