Salt Lake grass fires called 'suspicious'

WEST VALLEY CITY — Fire officials are calling a grass fire suspicious after it spread into a dozen small "spot fires" along west I-215 and state Route 201 Monday afternoon.

About 1:40 p.m., a wildfire was started near 3800 South and I-215.

"There are no natural ignition sources along the route. There was possibly a person or persons throwing something out of the vehicle as they were driving down the freeway," said West Valley Fire Capt. Joe White.

The fire spread north to state Route 201, burning along the side of the freeway. It scattered in several spots, creating about a dozen small fires, White said.

Smoke from the fires forced officials to close several roads in the area, including the ramp from eastbound state Route 201 to northbound I-215. The right lane along I-215 was also closed at different spots based on how the smoke was burning, according to Utah Highway Patrol trooper Cameron Roden.

White said he did not receive any reports of structures burned or injuries.

Fire crews from West Valley, South Salt Lake, Murray, West Jordan and the Unified Fire Authority all assisted in battling the blaze.

By 2:50 p.m., most of the fires were out and crews were just mopping up hot spots, White said.

— Pat Reavy