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SALT LAKE CITY — The Parleys Canyon Fire remained 21% contained Tuesday and evacuations are still in place as crews continue fighting the wildfire that sparked over the weekend.
The fire is now mapped at 541 acres.
Fire growth on Monday was minimal, according to the Great Basin wildfire team that took control of fighting the blaze. But a red flag warning is in effect Tuesday, with strong winds, thunderstorms and large hail forecasted in the area, fire officials noted.
"These conditions could lead to new lightning-caused fires and potential fire growth. Water runoff is a possibility in fire burned areas if significant rain occurs. Forecast models indicate the potential for an inch or more of rain with the potential for flash flooding," leaders of the Great Basin team noted in an update.
Many of the estimated 6,000 to 8,000 residents affected by the fire will need to remain evacuated until Wednesday or Thursday. But evacuations are being "continuously evaluated" by the Great Basin team and Summit County Sheriff's Office.
As of the latest update, those who live in Upper Pinebrook will remain evacuated through Wednesday at 8 p.m.; and Summit Park and Timberline residents need to stay out of their homes through Thursday at 8 p.m.
Lower Pinebrook residents were allowed to return to their homes Monday afternoon.
"We appreciate everyone's patience while our brave firefighters continue to get full containment of the fire," the office said on social media.
Crews have kept the blaze from advancing past its original perimeter or moving closer to neighborhoods, said Summit County Sheriff's Lt. Andrew Wright.
"We've been lucky with this one to not have any residents' homes or structures affected by it," he said.
Crews initially said Saturday the fire had grown to 2,500-3,000 acres, then said on Sunday that it was closer to 1,500 acres. Crews were able to map the fire area more accurately on Sunday morning and found that the blaze had covered about 600 acres.
The fire along I-80 was ignited Saturday afternoon by hot particles thrown from a vehicle's poorly working catalytic converter. Four smaller fires were ignited, which then quickly grew.
Roads, trailheads, trails, picnic areas and all other Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest lands within Lambs Canyon and from the Maple Grove winter gate area of Millcreek Canyon east to the national forest boundary also remain closed for firefighter and public safety, fire officials said.
"The highest priority on the fire is the safety of the public and firefighters. Other priorities include protecting the municipal watershed. Closures and evacuations will be continually evaluated to reduce or lift when it is safe to do so," fire officials said in a statement.
The fire crew is working from a camp at the Park City Ice Arena, and drivers are urged to be cautious when traveling through the area, especially during morning and evening rush hours. Crews are evaluating travel restrictions on I-80, where just one eastbound lane remains closed.
Helicopters, air tankers and water scoopers are dropping water and fire retardant on active portions of the fire, while crews construct fire lines on the ground. Two Utah National Guard helicopters will help fight the blaze Monday, officials said.
Jordanelle Reservoir will remain closed while water scoopers use it. The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is also enacting an area closure that will include Mill Creek and Winter Canyon.
The Park City School District has delayed the starting date for school due to the evacuations. All pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students will now start school on Monday, Aug. 23. Tuesday will remain a meet-and-greet day for elementary school students from 2-3:30 p.m., according to the district.
Contributing: Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com
