Multiple wildfires spark across Utah as temperatures soar

EPHRAIM — Multiple wildfires have sparked and spread across Utah as an extreme weekend heat warning was issued across parts of the state.

Saturday's afternoon high, measured at the Salt Lake City International Airport, matched the existing record for Aug. 1, at 105 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

Extreme heat warnings were issued across the northern Wasatch Front, Salt Lake Valley, Tooele Valley and Utah Valley from noon on Saturday until 9 p.m. Sunday night.

The extreme heat comes as multiple wildfires across the state continue to burn, along with a new fire that started Saturday.

The Winkle Bob Fire, located southeast of Richfield on Cove Mountain in Sevier County, started on Saturday and prompted multiple people to contact 911 to report it. The Sevier County Sheriff's Office thanked members of the public for informing them of the blaze.

The U.S. Forest Service said three helicopters and seven planes were used to fight the Winkle Bob Fire from the air. Multiple agencies were traveling to the site on the ground, navigating steep, rugged terrain.

Officials asked residents to keep the roads clear for emergency personnel to fight the fire.

The Black Canyon Fire, located near the border of Sanpete and Emery counties in central Utah, started Thursday afternoon after a lightning strike, according to Utah Fire Info.

The Black Canyon Fire was estimated at more than 100 acres on Saturday morning, but after two helicopters began to fight the blaze, the size was reduced. The fire is entirely burning on U.S. Forest Service land.

As of 2 p.m., evacuations were also active in Logan due to the Canyon Road Fire.

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