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BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON — An avalanche was reported at Big Cottonwood Canyon near Donut Falls and the Spruces Campground on Monday.
United Fire Authority responded to the scene of a small avalanche at 10160 Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, United Fire spokesman Ryan Love said.
Salt Lake County Search and Rescue is now sweeping the area to check for victims but as of 3:45 p.m., authorities have not confirmed that anyone was caught in the avalanche.
In Provo Canyon, U.S. 189 is temporarily closed after an avalanche blocked the roadway near Deer Creek Dam.
The Utah Department of Transportation said in a tweet posted at 11:06 a.m. that the road will remain closed for an estimated two hours, while crews clear an avalanche from the road.
🚨US-189 Provo Cyn Update: Highway is temporarily closed near Deer Creek Dam (MP 17) while crews clear an avalanche away from the road. Estimated reopening: 2 hrs. @UTHighwayPatrol@DeerCreekSP@SundanceResort@UDOTTRAFFIC@UtahDOT@UWCNF@WasatchCountypic.twitter.com/wAxsoNQ0sG
— UDOT Region Three (@UDOTRegionthree) March 6, 2023
Utah Highway Patrol said the slide occurred during avalanche control mitigation.
After last week's snowstorm, avalanche danger is high across mid- and upper-elevation slopes, according to the Utah Avalanche Center. "Natural avalanches are likely, and human triggered avalanches are very likely," the center said in a tweet.
This story will be updated.
