A fire that blackened nearly 1,400 acres in western Utah’s Tooele County has officially been extinguished, but firefighters have not been taking it easy since control of the 73 Fire was declared this past weekend.
Interagency Fire Center spokesman Jason Curry said Tuesday that the 73 Fire, a human-caused blaze that began on May 17, was mapped at 1,390 acres when crews declared it to be controlled on Saturday night. Burning in the remote Five Mile Pass area, the fire burned grass, sagebrush, pinyon and juniper but damaged no structures and caused no serious injuries.
 |
Join the Discussion |
 |
Post a Comment |
Since the 73 Fire, more than a dozen other wildfires have been reported in northern and eastern Utah, Curry said, mostly thought ignited to lightning and all under five acres in size.
"Mostly, volunteer firefighters were able to get on them quick and put them out, so they ended up pretty much non-events as wildfires," Curry said.
However, he added that continued hot, dry and gusty weather throughout the region expected to continue into Wednesday was causing crews to keep a close watch on the skies for smoke.
A "Red Flag" wildfire danger warning was in effect for Wednesday, meaning the area’s tinder-dry grasslands, desert sagebrush and forests were at risk for rapidly spreading blazes. Campers and outdoor recreationists were asked to be especially careful with cigarettes, campfires and any other burning materials.
-
Susan Powell’s father says bones found likely animal remains
Published May 18, 2013 12:26:02PM -
High-risk Utahns’ health insurance will shift to federal management
Published May 18, 2013 12:23:59PM -
More and more Egyptians charged with blasphemy, especially Christians
Published May 18, 2013 11:29:02AM -
French president signs gay marriage into law
Published May 18, 2013 11:26:02AM
Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
