More than 13,000 residents were forced from their homes after a fast-moving fire broke out south of Saratoga Springs, Utah.
Meanwhile, fires also led to evacuations in Colorado, Nevada and Arizona on Monday.
A volatile combination of strong winds, low humidity and an expanding drought is in play over the central and southern Rockies, High Plains and Great Basin, according to weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman.
These dangerous conditions for both existing fires and any new fires that start could persist into Tuesday in parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, western Texas and Utah.
Utah
The so-called Knolls Fire near Saratoga Springs began soon after 1 p.m. MDT Sunday in an area known as the Knolls on the western shore of Utah Lake. Gusty winds quickly drove the fire north, KSTU-TV reported.
Some gusts reached 50 mph, according to KUTV, and fire officials had to call off air operations because of the wind.
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Officials ordered the residents of 3,100 homes to evacuate. The 13,000 residents make up about one-third of Saratoga Springs' population. They were given the all-clear at 12:30 p.m. MDT Monday to return home, city officials said.
The fire quickly consumed more than 15.6 square miles and was 25% contained Monday afternoon, according to Utah Fire Info.
Saratoga Springs officials said 12 homes were damaged and one outside the city limits was destroyed. Damage occurred at nine properties and a shed was lost. Eighteen fences burned.
The mayor and City Council of Saratoga Springs declared a local emergency as the fire continued to burn late into the night. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. There were thunderstorms in the area around the time the fire started.
State Highway 68 was closed Monday morning because of downed power lines and other debris.
More than 13,000 residents of Saratoga Springs, Utah, were ordered to evacuate Sunday, June 28, 2020, because of the fast-moving Knolls Fire.The Knolls Fire was one of several major wildfires burning Sunday night in Utah.
Gov. Gary Herbert tweeted about 10 a.m. Sunday, "Most of Utah is under a #RedFlagWarning for fire today. High temps, high winds, low humidity & drought conditions mean a small spark could become a catastrophe. Let’s all exercise extreme caution and stay safe."
The Traverse Fire, which was started Saturday by someone setting off fireworks, forced about 230 homes to evacuate near Lehi, Draper and Alpine, Utah. It had burned 467 acres and was 26% contained late Sunday, according to Utah Fire.
The Canal Fire, burning since Friday near Oak City, Utah, broke through fire lines on Sunday. About 300 residents in and around the town of Leamington were ordered to evacuate. Utah Fire tweeted, "The #CanalFire near Leamington experienced extreme fire behavior burning tens of thousands of acres. No aircraft and poor visibility has made assessment difficult."
Utah Fire Info's incident website listed the size of the fire as almost 47 square miles, and it was 0% contained.
Colorado
High winds and dry conditions were causing "dangerous firefighting conditions" Monday in a community about 15 miles south of Denver.
Residents of the Back Country subdivision were ordered to evacuate after the brush fire burned about 10 acres in unincorporated Douglas County in Colorado, KCNC-TV reported. The Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Training Facility also was evacuated, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
The Mahogany Fire has burned almost 8 square miles as of Monday, June 29, 2020. It is on Mt. Charleston, about 25 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada.The Mahogany Fire is burning on Mt. Charleston, about 25 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Evacuations were ordered in Lee Canyon as the fire consumed 7.8 square miles. It was 0% contained on Monday afternoon. State Roads 156, 157 and 158 were closed early Monday for at least 72 hours, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.
The fire was discovered on Sunday. Officials with the U.S. Forest Service said the fire may have been caused by "human behavior," and an investigation is being conducted, according to KTNV.
The Poeville Fire burning near Reno had consumed more than 4.5 square miles as of Monday afternoon and was 30% contained. More than 400 were evacuated Saturday, and the fire burned at least eight structures, a combination of homes and other buildings, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported. Most evacuation orders were lifted Sunday.
Officials are investigating a vehicle fire from Friday night as a possible cause for the blaze, the Gazette-Journal reported.
Arizona
The Bighorn Fire, burning northwest of Tucson since being started by a lightning strike on June 5, has expanded over 167 square miles. It was 45% contained Monday afternoon.
More than 700 people have been ordered to evacuate from the Catalina Mountains, including the Redington and Summerhaven communities, Mt. Lemmon and Mt. Bigelow.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
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