The fire was about 20 percent contained as of Tuesday morning and no longer threatening any structures, said Barbara Bassler, a spokeswoman for the fire management team fighting the fire.
Dry vegetation, high winds, high temperatures and drought conditions were fueling the fire, which is believed to have been sparked Sunday morning by a vehicle fire, said Dixie National Forest spokesman Kenton Call.
The fire started half way up the Corn Creek drainage and heavy winds pushed it east and southeast into Main Canyon.
On Tuesday morning a fire management team, which will allow more resources to be brought in to fight the fire, was being set up at Escalante High School.
Local fire departments are assisting fire crews from the Color Country Fire Management Area. Planes are also being used. The blaze is burning pinyon, juniper and ponderosa pine trees, Call said.
Nine cabins were threatened, but none were permanent residences, Bassler said.
Fire crews were able to build fire lines to protect the structures located along Forest Service Road 17, also known as Main Canyon Road, which has been closed.
The fire is also near goshawk nests and fish streams.
Mary Christensen, a spokeswoman with the fire management team, said there are 179 firefighters battling the flames. In addition, 12 fire engines are expected to be fighting the fire Tuesday.
Two single-engine air tankers that have been dropping retardant are expected to be traded out Tuesday for helicopters joining one already making water drops on the flames.
Fire season in northern Utah isn't expected to officially begin this year until around the Fourth of July, said forest service public affairs specialist Kathy Jo Pollock.
"They're drier down there than [we are] up here," she said.
