Fire updates: Arson-caused wildfire in Summit County nearly 50 percent contained

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SALT LAKE CITY — A fire in Summit County that investigators believe was set by an arsonist has now been 48 percent contained, and pre-evacuation status in the area has been lifted, officials said.

Tuesday's coverage:

Crews continue to battle fires across the state. Watch here for live coverage on all the fires throughout Utah.

Thursday, 10:30am

Murdock Fire in Summit County

The Murdock Fire is expected to reach 600 acres and 52 percent containment today, fire officials report. The fire is burning between Forest Road #137 and Forest Road #027 about 22 miles northeast of Kamas. Fire officials say smoke may be visible along Mirror Lake Highway (Highway 150) near the Murdock Basin Road and in the Bald Mountain area. They ask the public not to report the smoke to authorities as they are already aware.

Thursday, 10:30am

Slate Fire in Summit County

The Slate Fire has burned about 30 acres, according to a Facebook post from Utah Fire info. The fire, started on Aug. 23 by lightning, is located approximately 6 miles northeast of Kamas and 3 1/2 miles north of Highway 150. No structures were being threatened by the fire as of Thursday morning. Fire officials say smoke may be visible from Highway 40 and Highway 150 around the Slate Creek and Yellow Pine areas. They remind the public they are aware of it and ask the public not to report the smoke.

Thursday, 10:30am

Burn severity of Coal Hollow Fire in Utah County is 'moderate,' scientists say

Of the 29,912 acres in the Coal Hollow Fire burn scar in Utah County, most are burned at "moderate severity," according to an emailed statement from the Manti-La Sal National Forest Service. Burned Area Emergency Response scientists report that 2,785 acres (9 percent) were unburned, 8,258 acres (28 percent) burned at low severity, 15,678 acres (52 percent) burned at moderate severity and 3,191 acres (11 percent) burned at high severity. Certain areas of the burn scar that experienced moderate to high burn severity could be a concern for run-off from steep hill slopes and an increase in erosion and debris flow, specialists said.

The team assessing the burn scar will determine which areas are at greatest risk in the event of storms and flooding.

Thursday, 08:14am

Tervels Fire in Summit County is nearly 50 percent contained

A brush fire that sparked along I-80 in Summit County Monday afternoon has burned 536 acres and is 48 percent contained, officials said.

The #TervelsFire is now 48% contained. This is one of three 20 person handcrews assigned to the fire. pic.twitter.com/YI9ciW0wQA
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) September 5, 2018

Pre-evacuation status has been lifted for the Echo Creek Ranches area, and the I-80 lane closure will be lifted later Thursday. A rest stop in the area remains closed, Utah Fire Info tweeted. Fire investigators from several agencies have been searching for an arsonist who they said set six fires along I-80 from Tooele County to Summit County — including the Tervels Fire. The fires were all started within a short time of each other on Labor Day.