Firefighters make progress against several wildfires


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(KSL News) Hundreds of firefighters were on the lines of some pretty big fires today. But luckily, they had some added help and started to get a handle on things.

Late Saturday night a team of firefighters from Nevada arrived in Utah County to help local crews with the Spring Lake fire near Payson. It started Friday afternoon, possibly by a downed power line, and has since burned 700 acres.

Seven 20-person crews and three helicopters are on the lines. The fire is 50 percent contained. The road through Payson Canyon reopened around 6:00 Sunday evening.

Several canyons in the Stansbury Mountains remain closed due to a wildfire burning there.

Lightning ignited the Little Bald Mountain fire near Grantsville three days ago. It's burned 531 acres so far and is just 15 percent contained.

Fire officials tell KSL the fire is creeping down the side of the mountain toward South Willow Canyon Rd. As a result, South Willow Canyon, North Willow Canyon and Box Elder Canyon are closed. Still, some people are ignoring those signs and venturing into the area. Official urge everyone to stay out for their own safety and for the safety of firefighters.

In Duchesne County, crews have contained the Wagstaff fire, eight miles east of Tabiona. The blaze has burned 425 acres since Friday afternoon. Fire officials say lightning started that fire.

And in Yellowstone National Park, visitors are seeing more than just water shooting from geysers. They're getting a first-hand look at massive plumes of smoke shooting from the forest near Fishing Bridge.

The LeHardy fire
The LeHardy fire

The LeHardy fire has burned more than 4,200 acres and is only 5 percent contained. At one point it closed part of the Grand Loop Road, but that's back open.

The blaze is working its way into the backcountry. It is not threatening any visitors and all park entrances are open.

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