Blaze near Escalante is nearly contained

ESCALANTE, Garfield County — A wildfire burning near here is closer to being contained.

Firefighters said the Corn Creek fire is 80 percent contained, at a size of about 2,269 acres. The fire is burning about 11 miles west of Escalante in timber and grazing areas.

Crews have been able to build a line in the Cherry Creek drainage and will continue to work on the south end of the fire. The north side of the blaze is already in mop-up stages, and officials expect full containment by Saturday evening. The fire has already cost more than $1.5 million to fight, but resources have been available because there are not any other wildfires burning in the area right now.

Road closures remain in effect around the area.

A vehicle fire sparked the blaze Sunday. It is Utah's first wildfire of the season.