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SALT LAKE CITY — Hot, dry conditions have lead to an increasing number of wildfires across Utah. Two more fires flared up in northern Utah Saturday afternoon, one in Utah County and another near Strawberry Reservoir.
Alpine fire
Lone Peak fire crews got the call a little after 4 p.m. Saturday that a brush fire was burning behind some homes at the mouth of American Fork Canyon.
As ground crews soaked the houses and fought back the flames, aerial tankers dropped fire retardant and a helicopter ran back and forth to a reservoir to make water drops.
Officials believe the fire was started by an escaped campfire.
By 10 p.m., the Alpine fire had burned 300 acres, but fire officials said they didn't think it was spreading. About 50 firefighters are working the fire, and 60 more on the way to help out.
American Fork Canyon will remain closed from the mouth up to the Alpine Loop, Tibble Fork while firefighters work to contain the fire.
Timpanogos Cave is closed until noon Sunday. Those with tours scheduled are encouraged to call 801-756-5238.
Beaver fire
Utah Fire Info reported a 10-acre fire near Strawberry Reservoir in Wasatch County about 5 p.m. Saturday. Wasatch County Fire Lt. Janet Carson said there are six homes threatened by the fire that crews are working to protect. Some residents have been evacuated and the fire is nearing the Duchesne County line.
As of 9:15 p.m. Saturday, the fire had burned about 30 acres and was not contained at all.
Second Point fire
Garden City and Laketown fire officials were dispatched to a fire at about 2 p.m. Saturday. According to officials, the fire is now 100 percent contained and no structures were damaged, although there was no word on how large the fire grew.
Shepard fire
In Davis County, a brush fire above Farmington sparked Friday evening has burned 80 acres and was 75 percent contained as of Saturday night.
The fire, which started near 1500 N. Compton Road around 5:30 p.m., was originally thought to be 130 acres. But fire officials said better mapping Saturday decreased the size estimation significantly.
No structures are threatened and no evacuations have been ordered. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Soldier Hollow fire
A wildfire caused by an ATV crash in Midway on Friday afternoon has forced the closure of Cascade Springs, officials said.
"This closure is needed to support aircraft and heavy equipment operation that are occurring at the fire scene," Wasatch County Emergency Management officials said in a statement.
All trails and roadways that access the Cascade Springs area are closed until further notice so crews can safely work on the fire, officials said.
As of 7:50 Saturday night, the fire was 75 percent contained and officials expect it will be 100 percent contained by Sunday afternoon.
Contributing: Sean Moody, Alison Berg
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Editor's Note: This story has been corrected to show the name of the fire at the mouth of American Fork Canyon is the Alpine fire, not the East Canyon fire.
