Wildfires close to containment

Firefighters expect to have the last of a series of wildfires burning across northern Utah contained by the end of the day.

The 1,985-acre Cedar Fort Fire burning near State Route 73 is expected to be contained by tonight. The fire was started by a man playing with model rockets, which prompted fire officials to issue a plea for people to take steps to prevent wildfires.

"A lot of it's just common sense, using your head," said Bureau of Land Management spokeswoman Erin Darboven. "If it's windy and high temperatures and low humidities, be careful with anything that can cause a spark."

The Utah Division of Forestry and Fire's Jim Springer said they have referred the case to the Utah County Attorney for any possible criminal or civil penalties.

Target shooting sparked a 1,781-acre wildfire on the north end of the Stansbury Mountains in Tooele County. Firefighters said the Timpie Fire quickly ate up hundreds of acres of juniper before a burnout operation was able to help contain it.

Someone burning trash ignited an 80-acre wildfire in Summit County's Echo Canyon on Saturday. It torched sagebrush and grass near cabins before firefighters were able to contain it.

In fact, the only lightning caused wildfire reported over the weekend was the 3,500-acre Hansel Fire #1, burning near Snowville, in Box Elder County. The fire burned an outbuilding and threatened a radio tower before air tankers and members of the Box Elder County volunteer fire department were able to contain it.

Darboven said resources were stretched thin across northern Utah, although there were enough crews to meet the need.

"If we had any more fires, we would have been lacking in resources," she said. "Three were in remote areas in accessibility. There was a higher demand for aerial resources."

Firefighters said they are frustrated with the number of human caused wildfires in one weekend.

"We can't control Mother Nature, but the public can help us out," Darboven said.

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com