SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -
Crews made progress on a large wildfire burning in southwestern Utah on Tuesday but another fire farther north jumped a highway, torched power poles and knocked out electricity to several communities. The Mill Flat fire, which burned three homes over the weekend, had blackened nearly 17.5 square miles by Tuesday night, according to Kathy Jo Pollock, a spokeswoman for the firefighting team.
The fire was 10 percent contained but continues to threaten about 550 homes and 58 commercial properties in the area of New Harmony.
Residents in the area remain on a one-hour notice for evacuations if the fire picks up again. Local fire departments are monitoring homes and buildings in the area.
Calmer conditions helped crews Tuesday, including solidifying a fire line on the fire's east flank, which is closest to the developed areas. Pollock said cooler temperatures and higher humidity expected overnight would help lower fire activity.
Also Tuesday, two firefighters sustained minor injuries but details were not available.
There are about 650 people assigned to the fire, along with four helicopters, 31 engines and two bulldozers.
To the north, stiff winds fanned the Sawmill Canyon fire. Fire officials estimated it had burned nearly 10 square miles by Tuesday night. Lisa Reid, a spokeswoman for the fire crew, said the fast-moving fire south of Scipio had jumped Highway 50 and was only 50 percent contained.
Power had been restored by Tuesday night to most of Millard County, which lost electricity after poles burned in the afternoon, she said. Crews fighting the fire from the air were grounded when afternoon winds kicked up, Reid said.
The area where the fire is burning is lightly populated, she said, adding that there had been no injuries.
In central Utah, about 50 summer homes in Carbon County remained under mandatory evacuation orders Tuesday because of a fire that burned within 500 feet earlier this week.
The West Scofield fire, which started in late June, has burned about 250 acres. It flared up in gusty conditions Sunday and Monday.
About 180 people are fighting the fire, which is just west of Scofield Reservoir.
"Fire activity was pretty minimal today," Jason Curry, a fire spokesman, said late Tuesday afternoon. "We made really, really good progress."
It was considered 10 percent contained Tuesday morning. Curry said he didn't have an updated figure late in the afternoon.
If winds continue to be calmer than previous days, the fire could be completely contained by late Wednesday, he said.
North of Huntington, a fire sparked by lightning Aug. 25 has burned about 800 acres. The U.S. Forest Service has closed several roads in the area.
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The fire was 10 percent contained but continues to threaten about 550 homes and 58 commercial properties in the area of New Harmony.
Residents in the area remain on a one-hour notice for evacuations if the fire picks up again. Local fire departments are monitoring homes and buildings in the area.
Calmer conditions helped crews Tuesday, including solidifying a fire line on the fire's east flank, which is closest to the developed areas. Pollock said cooler temperatures and higher humidity expected overnight would help lower fire activity.
Also Tuesday, two firefighters sustained minor injuries but details were not available.
There are about 650 people assigned to the fire, along with four helicopters, 31 engines and two bulldozers.
To the north, stiff winds fanned the Sawmill Canyon fire. Fire officials estimated it had burned nearly 10 square miles by Tuesday night. Lisa Reid, a spokeswoman for the fire crew, said the fast-moving fire south of Scipio had jumped Highway 50 and was only 50 percent contained.
Power had been restored by Tuesday night to most of Millard County, which lost electricity after poles burned in the afternoon, she said. Crews fighting the fire from the air were grounded when afternoon winds kicked up, Reid said.
The area where the fire is burning is lightly populated, she said, adding that there had been no injuries.
In central Utah, about 50 summer homes in Carbon County remained under mandatory evacuation orders Tuesday because of a fire that burned within 500 feet earlier this week.
The West Scofield fire, which started in late June, has burned about 250 acres. It flared up in gusty conditions Sunday and Monday.
About 180 people are fighting the fire, which is just west of Scofield Reservoir.
"Fire activity was pretty minimal today," Jason Curry, a fire spokesman, said late Tuesday afternoon. "We made really, really good progress."
It was considered 10 percent contained Tuesday morning. Curry said he didn't have an updated figure late in the afternoon.
If winds continue to be calmer than previous days, the fire could be completely contained by late Wednesday, he said.
North of Huntington, a fire sparked by lightning Aug. 25 has burned about 800 acres. The U.S. Forest Service has closed several roads in the area.
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