BOX ELDER COUNTY – By Cari Doutre – June 6, 2020
An unusually dry spring and record-breaking high temperatures the past week in northern Utah kicked off an early start to wildfire season in Box Elder County.
Fire crews responded to a fire along the BR mountain in western Tremonton on Monday, June 1. The wildfire was quickly contained and didn’t threaten any homes or structures in the area. For pictures of that blaze, click on the story link below.
Box Elder County Fire stated that wildfires in Promontory, and other rural county areas, started on Wednesday, June 3.
Three wildfires that day include the Matlin Fire south and west of Park Valley, caused by lightning. The Matlin Fire burned two historic railroad trestle bridges part of the Transcontinental Railroad and 8,000 acres.
Story continues below...
The Peplin Fire, south and west of Park Valley, was also lightning caused. It burned over 1,000 acres. The Hansel Fire, also south and west of Park Valley, burned less than 1,000 acres and was caused by lightning.
Crews from the Bureau of Land Management, Box Elder County Fire, Box Elder County Road Department, Weber County and Cache County, along with air support, worked to contain those wildfires.
Box Elder County Fire Department stated, “The biggest issue was a lack of water resources in that region to help fight the fire.”
A human caused fire in Promontory near the Golden Spike Historic Site was started when a farmer used a cutting torch while installing a gate. The farmer was able to fight the fire using machinery along with firefighters responding to the incident. That fire burned two acres and was quickly contained.
Box Elder County is currently under a Red Flag Warning. Weather forecasters are predicting weekend thunderstorms and cooler temperatures starting Saturday, June 6.
For updated information on wildfires in Utah, visit the Utah Wildfire Info website
