SALT LAKE CITY — A new wildfire sparked Saturday above Red Butte Garden on the University of Utah campus.
Crews were called about 6 p.m. to the fire in the area of 1950 E. Circle of Hope Dr. on the east side of the university.
The fire is estimated to be about 200 acres and is moving slowly to the south, though it remains north of Red Butte Canyon Road, according to a post on X by the Salt Lake City Fire Department.
The department earlier Saturday asked the public to evacuate the parking lot at the Jewish Community Center so that state and federal firefighters can continue to help battle the blaze.
A campus alert went out to U. students requesting them to shelter in place at 9:30 p.m., after a previous alert advised students to stay inside as smoke affected the east side of campus, though U. Health facilities remained operational, the alert said.
No structures remain directly threatened, Salt Lake City fire spokesman Chad Jepperson said, though the Red Butte structure and canyon remain under voluntary evacuations.
Neighborhoods in the area are not threatened, as winds are expected to continue to shift southwest down the mountain, according to firefighters.
Firefighters urge people not to fly drones in the area.
This story will be updated.
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