The smoke that drifted into Summit and Wasatch counties on Saturday came from a fast-growing wildfire near the border of Tooele and Juab counties. Its size is now estimated at 3,000 acres and it is spreading, with wind gusts reaching up to 60 mph in the afternoon.
The Boulter Fire started around the same time, at 1:30 p.m., as a 2-acre fire in Silver Creek Estates was extinguished by Park City Fire District firefighters in less than an hour despite gusty winds. That fire, which did not damage any structures, is currently being extinguished while the fire has broken out near Tooele.
The Boulter Fire started off Highway 36 near the Tooele County-Juab County border. Strong, gusty winds caused grass and brush fires to spread to over 3,000 acres by 5:30 p.m., according to Utah Fire Info.
“A wind shift from the west is now driving the #BoulterFire into the Tintic mountain range north of Eureka,” Utah Fire Info reported at around 5:30 a.m. SR 36 is closed in both directions. The Northern Utah Type 3 response team has been called in.
Homes have been evacuated and the highway closed between Vernon and Eureka. Several ground crews are battling the fire, and more have been requested, according to Utah Fire Info.
“Bulldozers are being used to create a firebreak,” according to Utah Fire Info, which said the fire is 10 to 12 kilometers from 5 Mile Pass and “is spreading rapidly. Federal, state and local emergency personnel are on the scene.”
Firefighting aircraft are currently battling the fire. The wind is expected to subside this evening.
