At least 16 new wildfires reported across Utah on Friday
New wildfires Utah fire crews battled on Friday include at least 16 starts in 24 hours amid red-flag warnings, with the Sulphurdale Fire near Cove Fort threatening Interstate 70 travel and a merged Juab County blaze forcing evacuations from Eureka, Mammoth, and Silver City. Officials warn motorists and residents to monitor rapidly changing conditions as winds fuel fast growth across the state.
Key Takeaways
- Utah Fire Info reported at least 16 new wildfires in 24 hours as red-flag warnings covered dangerously dry, windy conditions.
- The Sulphurdale Fire south of Cove Fort burned about 2 acres Friday and could affect Interstate 70 travel near high-voltage lines and a geothermal plant.
- Evacuations were ordered Friday night in Juab County after the Maple Peak and Cherry fires merged into a roughly 20,000-acre blaze.
- Additional new fires closed State Route 36, threatened structures in San Juan County, and stretched crews already responding to major incidents statewide.
Fire activity surged across Utah on Friday as crews raced to contain multiple new starts while larger blazes continued burning in central and southern parts of the state. For ongoing celebrity breaking news and fast-moving regional alerts, officials say conditions could shift hour by hour.
How many new wildfires have started in Utah?
According to KSL News, Utah Fire Info said at least 16 new fires started within 24 hours on Friday, with more likely under an active red-flag warning for potentially dangerous conditions. The wave added to an already strained fire season as teams also managed major incidents such as the Cottonwood Fire.
Among the new starts listed by officials were the Sulphurdale, Farr West, Rough Canyon, Wild Goose, and Babylon fires, along with an unnamed blaze near Tintic Junction that closed State Route 36 west of Eureka.
Where is the Sulphurdale Fire and why does it matter for drivers?
KUTV reports that fire officials spotted a new blaze in Millard County south of Cove Fort and Interstate 70, naming it the Sulphurdale Fire. KSL said the fire was discovered Friday, had burned about 2 acres, and was growing amid increasing winds, with no known cause reported yet.
Utah Fire Info warned the flames sit near high-voltage power lines, Interstate 70, and a geothermal power plant. KUTV said the fire could affect travel on I-70 if conditions continue, and motorists are urged to stay alert for changing conditions and possible traffic restrictions.
Which Utah communities face evacuations Friday night?
The most urgent overnight development came in Juab County, where the Juab County Sheriff's Office ordered evacuations for Eureka, Mammoth, and Silver City after the Maple Peak Fire joined the Cherry Fire into one incident estimated at about 20,000 acres. Residents were directed to head east on U.S. 6, and a shelter was being set up at a Latter-day Saints meetinghouse in Elberta.
Officials believe the Maple Peak Fire, which started on Maple Mountain west of the U.S. 6 rest stop, was caused by a lightning strike Thursday night. Utah Fire Info said wind-driven extreme fire behavior prevented crews from holding the road system, and several campsites were impacted as teams evacuated campgrounds and RVs.
What else should Utah residents watch this weekend?
Beyond the headline evacuations, KSL reported communities including Marysvale, Junction, and Circleville were told to be ready to leave at a moment's notice, while the North Creek area of Beaver awaited a possible evacuation call as winds fed the Cottonwood Fire. The Wild Goose Fire east of Holden in Millard County grew to an estimated 400 acres by Friday night.
Rocky Mountain Power announced precautionary shutoffs affecting Beaver, Garfield, Iron, and Washington counties, with outages that could last through Sunday and impact up to 18,000 customers. Utah County Commissioner Skyler Beltran also declared a county state of emergency Friday night, warning that firefighter resources were stretched thin statewide.