Rain Helps Contain Wildfires

Rain Helps Contain Wildfires


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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Rain and humidity have helped firefighters control wildfires across Utah, an official said Thursday.

"In general, they're all getting a little bit better," said Tracy Dunford, Utah state fire management officer.

"We've had a push of moisture into the state. Even though it brought some lightning and new (fire) starts, it's allowing firefighters to take advantage," he said.

The Dog Valley fire in Millard County, the largest at nearly 29,000 acres, or about 45 square miles, was at 40 percent containment, said Jill Ivie of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in Richfield.

The weather helped crews work the perimeter of the fire, she said.

Interstates 15 and 70 were open, but "we've noticed a lot of people pulling over or slowing down to look at the smoke, creating a little traffic concern," Ivie said.

Dunford said he wasn't aware of any mandatory evacuations in Utah.

The BLM predicted two fires covering 6,180 acres, or nearly 10 square miles, in Tooele County would be fully contained by Thursday night.

On the Net: http://www.utahfireinfo.gov/

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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