Fires near Spanish Fork have merged
The Pole Creek fire burns in Woodland Hills, Utah, on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018. Sparked by lightning in a remote, forested area on Sept. 6, the fire raged out of control as high winds kicked up Thursday. (Jeffrey D. Allred/The Deseret News via AP)
SPANISH FORK, Utah (AP) — Local officials say two Utah wildfires could keep evacuees out of their homes for weeks.
The Utah County Sheriff’s Office and the mayor of Elk Ridge warned Monday that 6,000 residents could be ordered to stay away for at least two weeks.
Firefighters say the lightning-caused fires near Spanish Fork have more or less merged.
Crews are concerned the wildfire could spill over a ridgeline into the Covered Bridge subdivision. Continuing high winds, warmer temperatures and low humidity are expected Monday.
The Utah Highway Patrol says the fire jumped Highway 6 on Sunday, forcing additional evacuations. Three other communities were evacuated last week.
The highway remains closed.
Together, the fires have already burned 135 square miles (350 square kilometers).
The fire is only 2 percent contained.
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