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LEEDS, Washington County — A brush fire burning near the town of Leeds Sunday caused serious traffic delays on I-15 and has prompted authorities to recommend voluntary evacuation for some residents in the area.
The fire started just north of Berry Lane in Leeds near I-15 and several properties, according to Capt. Tyler Ames, with the Hurricane Valley Fire District. Smoke from the fire began affecting the northbound lanes of the freeway shortly after 10 a.m., and fire crews responding from St. George, Washington, Hurricane Valley and New Harmony decided to shut down all northbound lanes by 11 a.m.
A heavy wind storm in the area caused the fire to jump in several areas, but St. George Fire Chief Robert Stoker said crews were able to put them out.
Some voluntary evacuations were called for in western Leeds and Harrisburg, Ames said, but there have been no mandatory evacuations ordered. A specific number of homes that opted to evacuate was not immediately available.
Ames said Sunday afternoon that no homes had been lost, and property damage was limited to power poles and some fences. Rocky Mountain Power reported 713 customers in the area without power.
Shortly after noon, two northbound lanes of I-15 were reopened, according to Hurricane Fire in a Facebook Live video. The video stated that one lane would remain closed as crews worked to put out the additional spot fires.
There is no current estimate on the size of the fire and the source of it was undetermined Sunday afternoon, according to Stoker. No injuries have been reported.
