A wildfire in western Utah is threatening homes in the nearby town of Minersville. Dubbed the Black Mountain Fire, the blaze was reported Thursday afternoon and has already grown to about 4,000 acres, Utah Fire Info said.
The fire was initially reported at just 100 acres, but quickly grew to around 4,000.
The Black Mountain Fire was burning about two miles south of the town of Minersville, home to less than 1,000 people. Authorities said that the cause of the fire was under investigation, though it was believed to have been caused by human action.
There were nine active wildfires burning in Utah Thursday, according to Utah Fire Info. The Trail Mountain Fire, in the Manti-La Sal Forest, was almost 18,000 acres by Thursday. Fire officials were able to reach about 80 percent containment. The Trail Mountain Fire initially began as a prescribed burn that escaped its designated area due to high winds.
In eastern Utah, firefighters were also working to contain the Fruitland Shed Fire, which burned two homes, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.
The National Weather Service put a Red Flag Warning into effect Thursday for much of Utah, warning the state was at increased risk for fire due to strong winds, high temperatures and low relative humidity.
"A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or are imminent," the NWS said. "Any fires that develop will have the potential to spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended."
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
