TOOELE COUNTY, Utah — Three wildfires were sparked Sunday in Tooele County.
The "Big Springs Fire" started around 11:30 a.m. west of Tooele, near State Route 196, also known as Skull Valley Road.
As of Sunday night, the blaze was estimated at 2,912 acres with 20 percent containment.
Around 5:30 p.m., state wildfire authorities said the fire's northward and southward growth had stopped. It had reached the ridge of the Stansbury Mountains, and aircraft were working to prevent it from spreading onto the east side of the mountains.
The fire was human caused and is under investigation. No structures were threatened. S.R. 196 was closed temporarily but has been reopened.
Later in the evening, as firefighters continued to gain control of the fire, target shooters shot an exploding target placed in dry grass just a few miles away, starting another fire. Authorities told FOX 13 that this took place on Bureau of Land Management land, where exploding targets are illegal. Those involved were cooperating and may face federal charges.
Authorities have named it the "North Delle Fire," and as of Sunday night it was 500 acres and 80 percent contained.
A third fire also started later Sunday evening in Tooele County near Interstate 80, mile marker 48. It was estimated at one acre.
After sparking from target shooters on @BLMUtah land ... the #NorthDelleFire is roughly 500 acres and nearly 80% contained.@UtahWildfire | @Fox13 pic.twitter.com/3wqdp0cdgn
— 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐞 (@brian_schnee) June 15, 2020
