Blaze near Nephi reaches 15,000 acres; Tooele road remains closed

Wildland fires continued to rage across Utah today, gobbling up more acreage, prompting additional evacuations and forcing road closures.

Heavy smoke has forced the shutdown of Highway 138 from Interstate 80 to the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Tooele County. Dubbed the Kimball Fire, the blaze is burning 15 miles west of Grantsville and has burned two outbuildings. One home, a communication tower and three outbuildings continue to be threatened. One home was evacuated.

"It's moving pretty quickly. It is gaining some ground," said Erin Darboven with the Bureau of Land Management. "It's very, very active."

So far, the lightning-caused blaze has charred 5,600 acres since it began July 18. It is 10 percent contained. Fire officials are warning that smoke may hinder visibility for travelers on I-80.

Near Nephi, the Salt Creek Fire had burned 15,109 acres by 4:30 p.m. this afternoon and was 0 percent contained. The fire was about five miles from Nephi city, but the wind was blowing the flames away from the city for now. Terry Krasko, spokesman for the BLM, said he does not believe that the city of Nephi will be threatened.

The fire began Thursday and has destroyed at least three structures and caused the evacuation of the community of Holiday Oaks, according to fire officials. Camper World, a KOA campsite, was partially destroyed by the blaze.

"The main emphasis this afternoon is structure protection," said Burt Hart with the Richfield Interagency Fire Center.

Winds have picked up this afternoon in Nephi Canyon, churning huge columns of black and white smoke. Large flames could be seen from miles away.

Meanwhile, firefighters complained today of a lack of firefighting resources.

"All of the orders for additional crews, we haven't been able to fill at all," said Loyal Clark, with the Uinta National Forest.

A Type I fire team has been located in Florida and will be sent to Utah to manage the firefighting effort. Clark said a Type I incident commander would arrive later tonight and a Type I team from Florida would take over firefighting efforts by Saturday night.

"That's the nearest available team," she said. "All the others are committed to other fires."

The fire had not entered any subdivisions in Nephi Canyon this afternoon, bringing relief to a number of evacuees who gathered on state Route 132 to watch the fire burn.