Fires burn in Utah County

MAPLETON — Canyon roads are blocked and campgrounds have been evacuated due to two fires in Mapleton and Hobble Creek canyons.

Hobble Creek traffic is still being allowed through the canyon because of its heavy residential population, but the largely recreational Mapleton Canyon is completely closed to civilian traffic, according to Utah County Sheriff's Lt. Dave Bennett.

More than 60 firefighters and their equipment rallied to fight four fires, which were reported by passersby at about 4:30 p.m. Monday.

By Monday evening, the four small fires had merged into two large ones.

The Hobble Creek Canyon fire was estimated to cover about 150 to 200 acres as of 10 p.m. Monday; the Mapleton fire was reported to be at 50 acres.

The Forest Service is investigating the cause of the fires, which are being considered suspicious because they started at the same time in approximately the same area.

Spanish Fork Fire Marshal Joe Jarvis estimated the larger Hobble Creek fire will burn until Wednesday, if winds remain calm. Jarvis expected the Mapleton fire will be extinguished sometime Tuesday.

Witnesses originally reported seeing nearly two-dozen paragliders over the area around the time of the fire. Investigators are also using license plate numbers to gather the identities motorists spotted driving through the area.

— Sara Israelsen-Hartley and Jacob Hancock