Fire updates: US 6 remains closed; Right fork of Hobble Creek Canyon under evacuation

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SALT LAKE CITY — Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox reported a "miracle" day Saturday as fire crews were able to hold the lines on the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain wildfires, but new evacuations were ordered Sunday.

"(Saturday) was nothing short of a miracle," Cox said in a tweet Sunday morning.

He added that no structures were lost on Saturday. Today will be another test, though, Cox said.

The fire jumped to the north side of U.S. Highway 6 about 2 p.m., officials said. The Diamond Fork and Sheep Creek areas were put under mandatory evacuation orders. The highway had reopened about 9:30 a.m. Sunday, but closed again as of 2 p.m., fire officials said.

Parts of Hobble Creek Canyon were put under mandatory evacuation status about 9 p.m.

Just realized my tweet last night failed to post. Here it is:
Today was nothing short of a miracle on the #PoleCreekFire & #BaldMountainFire. Despite severe gusts of up to 50mph, fire crews were able to hold lines & no structures were lost! Tomorrow will be another test.🙏🏼✊🏼
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) September 16, 2018

As of 8 p.m. Sunday, the Pole Creek Fire has burned 68,347 acres, and the Bald Mountain blaze has scorched another 13,509, according to Inciweb. Pole Creek remains 2 percent contained, officials said.

Meanwhile, a fire that destroyed two homes in Herriman on Saturday has been nearly contained. A fire that sparked near I-80 at the Tooele-Salt Lake county border grew to 800 acres, officials report.

Saturday's fire coverage:

The following is a comprehensive map of Utah's wildfires in 2018. Zoom in to see the 10 largest fire areas and click on the icons for fire information.

#Fires_map

KSL.com will be providing the latest fire updates throughout the day. This story will be updated as more details become available.

Sunday, 09:35pm

Pole Creek Fire forces evacuation order in parts of Hobble Creek Canyon

The right hand fork of Hobble Creek Canyon is under a mandatory evacuation order while the left hand fork is put on pre-evacuation order status, according to a tweet from Utah County Sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Cannon.

Sunday, 08:01pm

Part of Salem City remains under pre-evacuation status

Salem City residents who live south of the Highline Canal are reminded that they are still under pre-evacuation status. "The pre-evacuation status means that you should be prepared to leave your homes with little notice," Salem City Police Chief Brad James said in a Facebook post Sunday evening. City officials advise residents who live in wooded areas south of the Highline Canal to evacuate as a precaution. Officials also advise those who do not live in wooded areas to consider evacuating at their own discretion. Anyone with questions can contact Salem City by email at salemcity@salemcity.org

Sunday, 07:15pm

Pole Creek Fire crosses U.S. Highway 6, establishes in Diamond Creek drainage

Officials report the Pole Creek Fire has crossed U.S. Highway 6 and is established in the Diamond Creek drainage. The blaze is being driven by wind and is moving to the north and to the east, fire officials said in a tweet Sunday evening.

Sunday, 05:45pm

Community meeting scheduled to discuss Riggs and Lonely fires

Officials say two fires in southern Utah that grew in size Saturday spread toward each other and began growing together in the Lonely Spring drainage. As of Sunday afternoon, the Riggs Fire has burned 766 acres in Bryce Canyon National Park and Dixie National Forest after lightning sparked the blaze Aug. 25, according to a emailed statement from the National Park Service. Meanwhile, the Lonely Fire has burned 684 acres. Lightning sparked the blaze Sept. 6. Bryce Canyon National Park remains open to visitors, however, the main road in the park is closed from Natural Bridge south to Rainbow Point. Farview Point is also closed from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m., officials said. Officials plan to provide an update on both fires on Monday, Sept. 17, at 6 p.m. in the Bryce Valley High School auditorium located at 721 W. Bryce Way in Tropic. Trail closures

Dixie National Forest: Grandview Trail (066) from the lower Willis Creek junction to Lower Poduck

Bryce Canyon National Park: Riggs Spring Loop Trail, including the connector trail from Riggs Spring to the Grandview Trail and Under-the-Rim Trail from Agua Canyon to Rainbow Point

Sunday, 05:08pm

Fire near Salt Lake-Tooele county border closes SR-201

State Route 201 is closed in both directions from I-80 to state Route 202 due to a fire burning near the Salt Lake-Tooele county border, officials report. Motorists cannot turn west off of state Route 202 toward state Route 201 but are still able to turn east onto I-80, according to a tweet from Tooele County Emergency Management.

Because fire operations are still happening SR-201 from I-80 to SR-202 in both directions going east and west is still closed. You cannot turn west off of SR-202 but you can turn to go east. I-80 is open both directions. Please drive safely and plan your travel accordingly.
— TooeleCoEmerMgmt (@TCEM) September 16, 2018

Sunday, 02:12pm

U.S. Highway 6 closed again due to Pole Creek Fire, new evacuations ordered

As of 2 p.m., U.S. Highway 6 has been closed again due to the Pole Creek Fire. The fire has jumped the highway and is now on the north side of the road, according to Utah fire officials. The Diamond Fork and Sheep Creek areas are under mandatory evacuation orders effective immediately.

US Hwy 6 through Spanish Fork Canyon is closed again as of 2:00 PM. Diamond Fork and Sheep Creek are also now under evacuation order. #PoleCanyonFire #BaldMountainFire
— Spencer Cannon (@SGTCannonPIO) September 16, 2018

Highway 6 is closed again. The #PoleCreekFire has spotted over the canyon at Hwy 89 and 6 junction. We have aircraft on scene. Diamond Canyon and Sheep Creek are under evacuation notice effective immediately.
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) September 16, 2018

Sunday, 02:05pm

No change in evacuation orders near Pole Creek and Bald Mountain wildfires

There are no changes in evacuation orders for the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain wildfires, Gov. Gary Herbert said Sunday.

There have been no changes in evacuation orders. With an estimated 6000+ evacuated, amazing that shelter is empty — all evacuees are in homes. https://t.co/vYZO0NSloH
— Gov. Gary Herbert (@GovHerbert) September 16, 2018

The cities of Woodland Hills and Elk Ridge, and the community of Covered Bridge Canyon in Spanish Fork Canyon, remain evacuated Sunday. More than 6,000 people are estimated to be displaced, Herbert said. Fire officials were expecting the flames to threaten homes in Covered Bridge Canyon, but there were no structures destroyed and no injuries reported as of Sunday morning, according to Herbert. Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox reported that winds were picking up in Spanish Fork Canyon about 1 p.m. Sunday.

Winds are just brutal now in Spanish Fork Canyon. This is the fire racing across the Thistle mudslide. #PoleCreekFire pic.twitter.com/IKEVLPyHia
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) September 16, 2018

Sunday, 02:02pm

Residents in Utah, Juab counties asked to conserve natural gas

A gas line to Nephi City is being threatened by the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain wildfires, according to Gov. Gary Herbert. Residents from Santaquin to Levan are asked to conserve natural gas, the governor said.

Nephi City gas line is still threatened. From Santaquin to Levan, please conserve natural gas. Thanks for everyone’s cooperation.
— Gov. Gary Herbert (@GovHerbert) September 16, 2018

Sunday, 01:57pm

New fire burning along Mirror Lake Highway

A new fire started on the north side of Mirror Lake Highway about 19 miles northeast of Kamas, fire officials said Sunday. It was not clear exactly when the blaze, dubbed the Cobblerest Fire, started, but it had burned about 200 acres as of Sunday afternoon, according to an emailed statement from U.S. Forest Service officials. People are asked to slow down, but not to stop, between mileposts 18 and 22 of Mirror Lake Highway (state Route 150), and to stay clear of any firefighting activity. Spring Canyon Road, also known as Forest Service Road 041, is closed from Route 150 to Washington Lake, officials said. The fire's cause is being investigated.

Sunday, 11:18am

Thousands evacuated for Pole Creek Fire and Bald Mountain Fire, but evacuation center is empty

Though 6,000 people were evacuated due to the Pole Creek Fire and Bald Mountain Fire, the Red Cross has received too many donations, and there is a waiting list of people who want to help, Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox said. People are asked to stop donating supplies for now, Cox said in a tweet Sunday. He added that no one was staying at the evacuation shelter, though thousands were displaced. "Well done Utah," Cox wrote. "Well done."

Update from the Red Cross noting a few problems: 1) Big waiting list...of people that want to HELP and provide shelter for others. 2) TOO MANY donations. Please stop for now. 3) 6,000 people evacuated and no one staying at the shelter.

Well done Utah. Well done.😊 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) September 16, 2018

The Pole Creek Fire has burned 61,248 acres and is 2 percent contained as of Sunday, officials said. The Bald Mountain Fire is 13,509 acres. No structures have been lost and no injuries have been reported as of Sunday, Gov. Gary Herbert said in a tweet. About 2,000 people attended a community meeting about the fires on Saturday evening in Salem. Firefighters are continuing to fight the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain blazes Sunday, focusing on the northern edges of the fires, officials said. The flames are expected to threaten homes in the Covered Bridge Canyon community, fire officials said in an emailed statement Sunday. Crews are working to protect those structures. U.S. Highway 6 reopened on Sunday morning, but U.S. Highway 89 remains closed from its junction with U.S. 6 to the Sanpete County line.

Sunday, 10:47am

Air quality improving, smoke outlook better for Wasatch Front

Air quality is improving across the Wasatch Front Sunday morning, and most of the smoke from the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires is expected to clear out of Utah Valley by noon Sunday, officials said. Smoke is expected to push north and northeast, officials said. Southwest Wyoming can also expect air quality to be impacted in the coming days. Air quality from Payson to the Point of the Mountain is improving, fire officials said. Red flag warnings are still in effect for the fire areas Sunday as strong winds are blowing out of the southwest, officials said.

Smoke Report for the #PoleCreekFire and #BaldMountainFire pic.twitter.com/anF9DKm7ri
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) September 16, 2018

Sunday, 10:31am

No evacuations for fire near I-80 at Tooele-Salt Lake county border

No injuries have been reported and no structures have been lost in a fire that sparked Saturday afternoon near the Tooele-Salt Lake county border, officials said. The fire is about 800 acres and is 50 percent contained as of Sunday morning, North Tooele Fire District Spokesman Ryan Willden said. The cause of the fire is unknown, he said. I-80 was closed Saturday due to the fire, but is open as of Sunday morning, and officials have no plans to close it again, Willden said. State Route 201 remained closed due to some downed power lines that fell onto the road, Willden added.

Sunday, 09:45am

US Highway 6 reopens after being closed from Spanish Fork to Helper

U.S. Highway 6 has reopened after being closed due to activity from the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires, officials said. The highway may close again intermittently as the fires continue.

#PoleCreekFire Highway Six is now open. May be closed intermittently due to fire activity.
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) September 16, 2018

Sunday, 09:08am

Fire near Tooele-Salt Lake county border grows to 800 acres

As of 10:40 p.m. Saturday, a fire near the Tooele-Salt Lake county border south of I-80 had grown to 800 acres, Tooele County emergency officials reported. The fire started about 3 p.m. Saturday and forced the closure of I-80 and state Route 201, as well as the Great Salt Lake State Park marina. Late Saturday night, the fire was still actively burning higher up on a mountain in the area, officials said. It was 50 percent contained at that time. A Kennecott Copper Mine official said the fire had reached company property but was not affecting any nearby structures. The smelter facility was evacuated for employee safety on Saturday afternoon, the official said. As of 7:30 a.m. Sunday, westbound lanes of Route 201 were still closed from state Route 202 to I-80 due to the fire, Utah Department of Transportation officials said. The ramp from I-80 to eastbound Route 201 also was closed as of Sunday morning. There is no estimated clearance time for the road, UDOT said.

Sunday, 09:04am

Power restored after Herriman blaze destroys three buildings

Power has been restored to 2,309 people after a wildfire in Herriman destroyed two homes and a shed on Saturday. The blaze was 90 percent contained as of late Saturday night, Unified fire officials said. It burned more than 100 acres. Officials took a juvenile into custody Saturday who they say started the fire after playing with fireworks.

The emergency outage in Herriman has concluded and all 2,309 customer have been restored. We thank you for your patience while we performed this necessary work. If your power is still out please check your breakers, otherwise please call us at 1-877-508-5088. Thank you!
— Rocky Mountain Power UT (@RMP_Utah) September 16, 2018

Sunday, 08:46am

Pole Creek, Bald Mountain fires hold Saturday; no structures destroyed

Heavy winds did not prevent fire crews from keeping two raging fires in central Utah at bay Saturday, officials report. "Despite severe gusts of up to 50mph, fire crews were able to hold lines and no structures were lost," Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox said in a Tweet Sunday morning. The cities of Woodland Hills and Elk Ridge, as well as the community of Covered Bridge Canyon in Spanish Fork Canyon, still were under mandatory evacuation orders as of Sunday morning. Today will be another test, Cox said. Critical fire weather conditions are expected again on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. As of Sunday morning, 498 firefighters were assigned to the two fires, and that number is expected to climb, Spanish Fork officials said. More updates on the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires are expected around noon.

Fire updates: US 6 remains closed; Right fork of Hobble Creek Canyon under evacuation

By Jacob Klopfenstein for KSL | Updated - Sept. 16, 2018 at 9:55 p.m. | Posted - Sept. 16, 2018 at 9:25 a.m.

Show 1 more video

Saturday's fire coverage:

Fire updates: US Highway 6 closes due to Pole Creek Fire, new blaze closes Great Salt Lake marina

Pole Creek Fire forces evacuation order in parts of Hobble Creek Canyon

Part of Salem City remains under pre-evacuation status

Pole Creek Fire crosses U.S. Highway 6, establishes in Diamond Creek drainage

Community meeting scheduled to discuss Riggs and Lonely fires

Fire near Salt Lake-Tooele county border closes SR-201

U.S. Highway 6 closed again due to Pole Creek Fire, new evacuations ordered

No change in evacuation orders near Pole Creek and Bald Mountain wildfires

Residents in Utah, Juab counties asked to conserve natural gas

New fire burning along Mirror Lake Highway

Thousands evacuated for Pole Creek Fire and Bald Mountain Fire, but evacuation center is empty

Air quality improving, smoke outlook better for Wasatch Front

No evacuations for fire near I-80 at Tooele-Salt Lake county border

US Highway 6 reopens after being closed from Spanish Fork to Helper

Fire near Tooele-Salt Lake county border grows to 800 acres

Power restored after Herriman blaze destroys three buildings

Pole Creek, Bald Mountain fires hold Saturday; no structures destroyed

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Fire updates: US 6 remains closed; Right fork of Hobble Creek Canyon under evacuation

By Jacob Klopfenstein for KSL | Updated - Sept. 16, 2018 at 9:55 p.m. | Posted - Sept. 16, 2018 at 9:25 a.m.

+ Show 1 more video

Saturday's fire coverage:

Fire updates: US Highway 6 closes due to Pole Creek Fire, new blaze closes Great Salt Lake marina

Pole Creek Fire forces evacuation order in parts of Hobble Creek Canyon

Part of Salem City remains under pre-evacuation status

Pole Creek Fire crosses U.S. Highway 6, establishes in Diamond Creek drainage

Community meeting scheduled to discuss Riggs and Lonely fires

Fire near Salt Lake-Tooele county border closes SR-201

U.S. Highway 6 closed again due to Pole Creek Fire, new evacuations ordered

No change in evacuation orders near Pole Creek and Bald Mountain wildfires

Residents in Utah, Juab counties asked to conserve natural gas

New fire burning along Mirror Lake Highway

Thousands evacuated for Pole Creek Fire and Bald Mountain Fire, but evacuation center is empty

Air quality improving, smoke outlook better for Wasatch Front

No evacuations for fire near I-80 at Tooele-Salt Lake county border

US Highway 6 reopens after being closed from Spanish Fork to Helper

Fire near Tooele-Salt Lake county border grows to 800 acres

Power restored after Herriman blaze destroys three buildings

Pole Creek, Bald Mountain fires hold Saturday; no structures destroyed

Photos

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Show 1 more video