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SARATOGA SPRINGS — Firefighters worked throughout the evening to control a fast-burning wildfire that sent smoke billowing in the air visible for miles Thursday afternoon.
About eight miles south of Saratoga Springs on state Route 68, the blaze spread quickly Thursday evening because of wind. It was being fed by dry grass, brush and juniper trees, and has burned several hundred acres.
The smoke carried over to SR 68 and was the cause of two traffic accidents because of low visibility. The victims suffered minor injuries.
While the fire was very visible throughout Utah County, it took time for firefighters to get around the lake and start battling the blaze.
Now they are hoping to get a jump on it early in Friday morning, and get some containment before the wind and temperatures start picking up.
"Overnight, we'll probably start moving a lot of our folks down of the mountain, and keep some of them up in kind of an observing role," said Jason Curry, with the U.S. Forest Service. "Most of all, we'll just get our firefighters some rest so we can hit it fresh in the morning."
The cause of the fire is believed to be sparks from a target practice nearby. Two men are cooperating with investigators, saying the fire started where they were shooting.
No buildings are in the direct path of the fire, but there are a few ranch houses that firefighters will keep an eye on overnight.
SR 68 is still closed south of Saratoga Springs and north of Elberta, and there is no estimate on when it will reopen.
With the unusually dry conditions Utah is seeing right now, fire officials are again warning everyone to be careful — especially with the hot temperatures in the forecast this weekend. Fire danger, as evidenced by this wildfire, is very high.
Contributing: Jeff Finley
