The houses are in a "fairly remote" area, said Utah Division of Forestry spokesman Jason Curry. About 25 houses were evacuated Wednesday, and 15 of them, mainly in Willow Basin, remained under evacuation orders on Thursday. Many were historic or summer homes and not all were occupied.

Lightening started the fire about 1 p.m. Wednesday. It was spread by gusty winds and fed by pinon juniper, scrub oak and timber in steep terrain about eight miles northeast of Moab.

None of the fire was contained Thursday, and no containment date was set.

Four engines, two heavy tankers and one helicopter fought the blaze along with about 50 firefighters who flowed in during the day. One more helicopter will also be dispatched to the scene.

The flames also closed the LaSal Loop road between Sand Flats and Castle Valley.

Meanwhile the 808-acre Corner Canyon fire near Draper, reached about 75 percent containment Thursday as crews continued to work on the flames near Bear Canyon. It should be contained by 9 p.m., officials said.