Evacuations have been ordered for parts of Tooele County on Friday after the new Maple Peak and Cherry fires have grown throughout the afternoon in Juab County.

The Maple Peak Fire and Cherry Fire started separately, but have since merged and are burning an estimated 20,000 acres, officials confirm.

Anyone near Vernon Reservoir and the Lofgreen area are being told to evacuate. The Tooele County Sheriff’s Office, along with search and rescue personnel are assisting in the evacuations.

State Route 36 between mileposts 0 and 20, South of Vernon, is closed due to the wildfire. Officials ask the public to avoid the area.

Those who are evacuating can take shelter at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 280 North Main Street in Vernon.

Along with the evacuations, SR-36 is closed to all southbound traffic near Milepost 20.

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