WILDFIRES
Evacuations Underway Due To East Canyon Fire In Morgan County
Jun 8, 2021, 1:21 PM | Updated: 9:28 pm
MORGAN COUNTY, Utah — Air and ground resources are responding to the East Canyon Fire, which firefighters said is threatening power lines and scattered ranch homes in the area.
State fire officials said at least two homes and eight cabins were being evacuated Tuesday afternoon after winds shifted, pushing flames up the canyon.
Swan Workman, who owns a ranch nearby, got a head start on packing. Fire officials haven’t asked him to evacuate yet, but he said he doesn’t want to wait and take the risk.
“It’s a dry year. This is one of the risks that happen, living in Utah. I know a lot of people want to move out here because it’s pretty, but it’s a desert state. This won’t be the first evacuation I’ve ever had to do,” he said.
Workman said he’d rather be ready now than have to leave with only essentials later on.
“I think if this were to happen a month from now, we wouldn’t have had this much notice,” he said.
Fire by East Canyon Reservoir. Firefighters say it’s behaving like an August fire because of the dry conditions. Ten homes evacuated so far. @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/VZhcs9PvrB
— Mike Anderson (@mikeandersonKSL) June 8, 2021
Crews said the fire was growing rapidly and “exhibiting August-like fire behavior.”
It had burned an estimated 500 acres as of 9:17 p.m.
Officials said an investigation determined that a piece of heavy equipment struck a rock with its track and ignited the fire.
#EastCanyonFire Update: Fire continues to grow. Est. 300 acres. Investigation on the fire has been determined that a piece of heavy equipment (track hoe) struck a rock with its track. #kmyffsl
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) June 8, 2021
The vast majority of Utah is under a red flag warning that lasts through Wednesday night.
Officials said State Route 66 is closed in both directions between the State Route 65 Junction and the west side of East Canyon Reservoir due to the fire.
Hiking trails in the nearby area have also been closed.
Due to the #EastCanyonFire, SR-66 is now closed both directions between SR-65 Junction & the west side of East Canyon Reservoir. Hiking trails associated in the area are closed. Please avoid the area for firefighter & public safety. Human caused & under investigation. #kmyffsl pic.twitter.com/ATueVVHFA1
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) June 8, 2021
The park is currently open but officials said visitors will have to use S.R. 65 to access the lake.
