Fire investigators believe arsonists are behind six wildfires that broke out Monday along Interstate 80 in Utah, from Tooele County to Summit County — including one that has burned through nearly 600 acres — and extending into Wyoming.
“They’ve found significant evidence … at the fires, witness information and other factors,” said Leann Fox, spokeswoman for fire crews, in an interview with The Salt Lake Tribune. “There is a strong correlation between this start and [five] other arson fires around I-80.”
Three of the fires broke out within 10 miles of one another in Tooele County, shutting down one lane of I-80 for about half an hour Monday, FOX 13 reported.
At 536 acres, the Tervels Fire 6½ miles northeast of Coalville was the largest of the fires believed to have been deliberately started. It was 25 percent contained Wednesday morning.
Investigators believed something flammable was thrown from a car traveling on I-80 in Utah and Wyoming. Anyone with information about that fire or others along I-80 may call the Summit County Sheriff’s Office at 435-615-3500.