Shooting sparks 12-acre Utah County brush fire, injuries 1 man

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Two Salt Lake County men out shooting near Lake Mountain in Saratoga Springs sparked a brush fire that spread 12 acres before officials could douse the flames Monday.

One of the men was scorched by flames while trying to put out the fire with an extinguisher before fire crews arrived.

Utah County Sheriff's Sgt. Peter Quittner said the two men were at a popular shooting area along state Route 68 at mile marker 21 about 2:30 p.m. when the fire started, and they quickly alerted authorities. Wind picked up the fire and spread it 12 acres.

Crews from Saratoga Springs, Utah County and another agency responded to the fire just three miles south of Saratoga Springs on the west side of Lake Mountain. A helicopter scooped water from Utah Lake to help fight the fire. It took about an hour to control the blaze and put out flames.

The injured man refused medical treatment, officials said.

— Lana Groves