Lightning strikes ignited two additional wildfires Tuesday in Tooele County, only a day after crews battled a blaze on Stansbury Island and a string of fires on SR-36 in Vernon.
The new fires were located near the Vernon Reservoir and Fivemile Pass and began during evening thunderstorms, according to Jason Curry, spokesman for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.
While the fires were deemed a growing concern, fire crews were able to respond quickly and manage the fires, Curry said. Crews from the Vernon Volunteer Fire Department and Utah Division of Land Management led the response to the fires, he said.
Crews were still monitoring the wildfires Wednesday morning, Curry said.
The wildfires Tuesday were the result of lightning, but a string of roadside fires along SR-36 on Monday were man caused.
A truck pulling a trailer flatted and lost its tire, causing the rim to send sparks into dry grass alongside the road, Curry said Tuesday. The fires were spread along SR-36 between the SR-73 junction at Penny’s and the Silver Sage in Vernon.
One of the blazes threatened the Vernon Fire Department building and several vehicles, but all of the fires were successfully extinguished.
With a number of fires already this week, Curry said Tooele County is experiencing prime wildfire conditions.
“Things are getting active,” Curry said. “The heat and dryness are bringing it on.”