Fire updates: No growth reported for Pole Creek, Bald Mountain fires

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SALT LAKE CITY — No growth was reported Sunday for two wildfires in Utah County burning just over 120,000 acres, or abut 188 square miles, combined.

As of Sunday evening, the Bald Mountain Fire has burned 18,596 acres and is 33 percent contained, up from 18 percent containment Saturday evening. The nearby Pole Creek Fire saw no change in size from Saturday evening to Sunday evening, holding at 101,423 acres and 41 percent containment, according to Inciweb, an incident information system for wildfires.

Cattle ranchers in Spanish Fork reported devastating losses to their livestock after the Pole Creek Fire swept through Sweat Creek Canyon over the weekend. The fire killed dozens of cows and calves.

Saturday's fire coverage:

This story will be updated throughout the day with the latest wildfire information from across the state.

Sunday, 08:56pm

Community meeting scheduled to discuss Pole Creek Fire updates

A community meeting to discuss the Pole Creek Fire will be held Tuesday at a meetinghouse for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 8000 E. 36500 North in Indianola, officials announced. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The Pole Creek Fire saw no growth Sunday and remained at an estimated 101,423 acres and was 41 percent contained, according to Inciweb, an incident information system for wildfires. The Bald Mountain Fire also saw no growth Sunday and remained at 18,596 acres. It was 33 percent contained late Sunday, up from 20 percent in the morning, officials said. Fire officials also shared a video on Sunday explaining a common misconception of wildfires. The video showed aerial images of the Bald Mountain Fire as officials explained why Payson Lakes remains untouched by the blaze.

A common misconception of wildland fire is that everything within the fire's perimeter has burned. This is a video of a flyover today on #BaldMountainFire, flying north towards Payson Lakes. As you can see, Payson Lakes remains untouched. pic.twitter.com/VhCSRKHFCt
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) September 23, 2018

Sunday, 06:35pm

Murdock Fire 50 percent contained

The lightning-caused Murdock Fire burned an estimated 650 acres and is 50 percent contained Sunday, officials report. The fire had some new growth Saturday on the northeast portion, according to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service. Officials added that a specialized team will take over management of the Murdock Fire and the Slate Fire, both burning near Kamas, on Monday. "With an increase in additional resources, the local Forest will be able to focus on initial attacks on any new fires," the release read. Smoke will continue to be visible along Mirror Lake Highway and surrounding areas, officials said. A temporary area closure is in effect beginning at Forest Service Road #137, about two miles up from state Route 150 at the staging area. Forest Service Road #027 and ATV Trail #304 are also closed.

Sunday, 06:28pm

Slate Fire grows to 584 acres

The Slate Fire, burning about six miles north of Kamas, grew to 584 acres by Saturday's end, forest service officials announced in a news release. The lightning-caused fire has been burning since Aug. 23. Officials remind the public that Yellow Pine Trail (Trail #240) remains closed as crews work to contain the fire. Smoke may be visible from U.S. Highway 40 and state Route 150 around the Slate Creek and Yellow Pine areas.

Sunday, 09:08am

Fires could impact Sanpete County community, but no evacuations yet

There is a chance the Pole Creek Fire may impact the Sanpete County community of Panorama Woods in the coming days, Sanpete County Sheriff's officials said on Twitter. The area, east of U.S. Highway 89 just south of the Utah-Sanpete county line, has no evacuation status as of Sunday morning, sheriff's officials said. The community likely will not be threatened until a few days from now, officials said. The sheriff's office is continuing to monitor the situation.

#PoleCreekFire There is a possibility the fire could impact Panarama Woods. It would likely not be for a few days from now. There is no evacuation status but we are watching it. @UtahWildfire @SpencerJCox
— Sanpete Sheriff (@SanpeteSheriff) September 23, 2018