Spanish Fork Canyon fire 40 percent contained

SPANISH FORK — A fire in Spanish Fork Canyon that started with a lightning strike earlier this month is 40 percent contained as of Sunday morning, officials said.

The Tank Hollow Fire started Aug. 11 and is burning in steep, rocky, remote terrain in Spanish Fork Canyon, U.S. Forest Service Public Information Officer Loyal Clark said.

The fire has burned about 3,500 acres. Clark did not have an estimate for when the fire would be fully contained or controlled.

“This fire is burning in a very steep, remote area,” Clark said. “It’s a great place for hunting but is inaccessible in some areas.”

Fire crews now are protecting critical watershed areas and power lines that are threatened by the fire, Clark said. No other structures are in danger, she said.

The Unicorn Ridge Campground will be closed as crews fight the fire, because it is the best place in the area to establish a helicopter base, Clark said. Three roads also will be closed to allow safe passage for fire crews and equipment.

Several hunters staying at Unicorn Ridge Campground were asked to relocate to another site, but no one has been evacuated from the area, Clark said. The Forest Service is asking hunters and hikers in the area to be cautious and to watch out for fire personnel.

Smoke from the fire is settling into Spanish Fork Canyon and is affecting the U.S. Highway 6 corridor, Clark said. Smoke also is affecting Spanish Fork City.

About 130 firefighters are working the blaze from the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Utah County and other agencies from the state. A helicopter also is working to suppress the fire and made several flame retardant drops on Saturday afternoon, Clark said.

The Forest Service is asking people not to report the fire, Clark said.

“We are aware of it and we have sufficient resources on the fire at this time to be able to handle it,” she said.

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