Nephi Canyon fire rages

Firefighters needed

Fire officials have thrown everything they have at this blaze, trying to protect cabins, trailers, campgrounds and other structures in the canyon.

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

More than 150 fire personnel are working this fire. Air tankers and a helicopter flew over the Holiday Oaks subdivision on Friday afternoon, making drops of water and retardant, trying desperately to protect the homes there from burning. So far, as of late Friday, they have been spared.

A fire crew from Juab County kept watch over a lone cabin as flames 60 feet high overtook a crevice in the canyon.

"It can get pretty intense," said firefighter Chris Lewis.

Firefighters are complaining they don't have sufficient resources to knock down the blaze. All of the fire crews are busy fighting other fires in Utah and elsewhere.

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

The Salt Creek fire has been declared a national priority wildfire and a Type I team has been ordered to help manage the massive firefighting effort. A Type I team brings with it more resources.

However, there are so many fires burning in the western United States, it won't be until 10 tonight that the team is expected to arrive — from Florida.

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

Evacuation standby

In a campground on the ridge overlooking the tiny Sanpete County town of Indianola, people were told to get out as the fire moved quickly toward them.

Tents and trailers were abandoned in their pads, leaving an eerie, deserted feeling to the place.

"They're not letting anybody in. The roads are closed," said Tom Willis, who brought his trailer out of the mountain area Friday morning. "It's worrisome."

Along a dirt road in Indianola, more than a dozen trailers were parked in a line. They were dragged off the mountain in a hurry as the fire got too close for comfort.

Winds helped push the fire closer toward Fountain Green and Indianola. Local authorities have put residents on notice that they should prepare to be evacuated, should the fire move closer.

"It's all dependent on the weather," Clark said.

While the Salt Creek fire is threatening the most homes, there are other fires threatening towns, including one that started Friday in Box Elder County.