This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Thunderstorms bearing little rain but lots of lightning sparked several new fires in Tooele County's Cedar Mountains, even as crews closed containment lines around other West Desert blazes on Thursday.
The Onaqui Mountain Complex fires had scorched nearly 38,000 acres of brush, grass and high chaparral east of Dugway since first reported on Sunday. Fire Information Officer Shayne Ward said the fires were 75 percent contained, with full containment expected no later than Saturday.
About 280 firefighters, aided by water-bearing helicopters and bulldozers, were busy dousing hot spots and completing lines on Thursday.
Meanwhile, more lightning Wednesday night ignited the Cedar Mountain Fire, which had blackened 13,788 acres about 23 miles west of Grantsville. As of late Thursday morning it was just 5 percent contained with no predictions for when it would be hemmed in.
About 160 firefighters were on that blaze, which was burning in remote, rugged terrain. Helicopters and air tankers were being used to bombard the flames with water and fire retardant chemicals, respectively.
Ward said crews focused Thursday on setting backfires along the eastern and western flanks to control the Cedar Mountain Fire's growth.
No injuries or structural losses had been reported for either fire.
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