The Murdock Hollow fire was 90% contained July 30, according to Summit County.
It was initially reported to be 20 acres a couple hours after it sparked at 10:30 a.m. July 29 north of state Route 248. Three hours afterward, the county reported updated mapping showed it burned 4.5 acres.
The #MurdockHollowFire is now 60% contained. Updated mapping shows the fire at 4.5 acres. https://t.co/g4RVphjwW2
— Summit County, Utah (@SummitCountyUT) July 29, 2024
The fire began near mile posts 10 and 11 on state Route 248, threatening structures. County spokesperson Derek Siddoway said no evacuations had been ordered as of 12:30 p.m. He does not anticipate evacuations or damage to structures.
Fire crews have closed one westbound lane of state Route 248 as they work to contain the blaze.
"We're asking people as they're traveling westbound on [state Route] 248 ... to please drive slow, as there are multiple fire crews and apparatus parked on the shoulder of the road fighting the fire," Siddoway said.
A resident near the fire, Lindy Sternlight, told KPCW both helicopters and planes were in the area dropping water and retardant around midday, and smoke had abated since the fire began hours earlier. She says members of the Garff Ranches homeowners association have been communicating with one another.
"The Garff ranch said—if we do evacuate—large animals can go over to their HQ," Sternlight told KPCW. She had not been ordered to evacuate as of noon July 29 and estimated her home was a mile from fire.
The cause is under investigation.
A Red Flag warning is in effect for much of Utah through 10 p.m. Tuesday.
More than 80 wildfires have sparked across the state since July 21 and 44% of those were human-caused, according to Utah Fire Info.
