A slow-moving grass fire was burning Tuesday through the foothills near the University of Utah, according to the Salt Lake City Fire Department, creating a haze of smoke over the east portion of the county.
The fire had burned 89 acres by 2:21 p.m. Tuesday, according to Utah Fire Info, and no structures have been threatened.
The fire was initially reported at about 3:41 a.m., according to Bob Silverthorne, a division chief with the Salt Lake City Fire Department.
The fire is still zero-percent contained, he said, but cool temperatures and rain are helping firefighters, and winds seem to be blowing the blaze into the foothills.
The fire was still zero-percent contained as of Tuesday afternoon, according to Utah Fire Info’s X account, but it was no longer spreading as crews worked to reinforce fire lines.
Several resources, including air support, were on scene as of 10:33 a.m. Tuesday, according to an update from Utah Fire Info’s X account.
Several departments have been helping, Silverthorne said, including the Utah Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, Salt Lake City Police Department and Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Department.
The fire is in a remote area, Silverthorne said, and an investigation into what started the fire is underway.
Though the typical fire season is reaching its end, Silverthorne said the fire serves as a reminder that dry fuel still sits in the foothills.
Salt Lake Fire was asking people to avoid the area, which officials said includes trails behind the City Creek stream, Dry Creek and the Avenues. They also asked people keep drones out of the area.