Samantha MoilanenA small wildfire that sparked Friday in northern Utah’s Morgan County mushroomed to 2,800 by Sunday, making a “big push” as crews worked to slow its spread.
The Rocky Canyon Fire, burning just northwest of East Canyon Reservoir, doubled in size Saturday afternoon, according to Utah Fire Info, and remained 0% contained Sunday. A containment figure marks the percentage of a fire’s perimeter where crews feel confident flames won’t cross.
Residents from Whites Crossing to East Canyon Dam were ordered to evacuate Sunday as crews conducted a burn operation, Utah Fire Info noted. A shelter was in place at the MHS Trojan Century Center in Morgan.
In addition, residents between the Summit County line at Hog Back Summit and West Henefer Road were also told to evacuate.
On Sunday afternoon, evacuation alerts were mistakenly sent to residents across northern Utah, including in Salt Lake and Summit counties. “Please disregard that broader alert,” Utah Fire Info said on Facebook.
(FOX 13 Now) An evacuation alert sent in Salt Lake City that turned out to be a false alarm.
Instead, evacuations were in place for residents south of Highway 65, west of 300 West and on Henefer Road to Franklin Canyon.
A temporary shelter was set up at a Latter-day Saint chapel, 709 N.Main, in Henefer.
The rest of Henefer was under “SET” status.
The cause of the fire was under investigation, Utah Fire Info reported late Saturday on social media, but did not provide more details. Some 120 personnel were battling the blaze.
No homes have been evacuated, but people in the northern part of East Canyon State Park have been told to flee, including those at Dixie Creek Campground and nearby day-use areas, the state park alerted in a Facebook post.
The fire is about 35 miles northeast of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Back.
Highway 66 remained closed Sunday due to the blaze, according to Utah Fire Info.
The fire and highway closure also forced TriUtah race organizers to postpone Saturday’s East Canyon Triathlon, the company announced Friday.
Race organizers said on Facebook they will meet next week with state and local officials to discuss options for rescheduling the event.
“Believe us when we say we are as disappointed as you are, and feel the frustration and pain,” the organizers wrote. “Please be patient with us as we work out these details.”
(Utah Fire Info) Smoke from the Rocky Canyon Fire in Morgan County.
Earlier Saturday, state wildfire officials said they expected to have the blaze “fully taken care of” by the end of the day. But during the heat of the afternoon, officials said, the fire began to make “a big push.”
