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SALT LAKE CITY — Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox reported a "miracle" day Saturday as fire crews were able to hold the lines on the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain wildfires, but new evacuations were ordered Sunday.
"(Saturday) was nothing short of a miracle," Cox said in a tweet Sunday morning.
He added that no structures were lost on Saturday. Today will be another test, though, Cox said.
The fire jumped to the north side of U.S. Highway 6 about 2 p.m., officials said. The Diamond Fork and Sheep Creek areas were put under mandatory evacuation orders. The highway had reopened about 9:30 a.m. Sunday, but closed again as of 2 p.m., fire officials said.
Parts of Hobble Creek Canyon were put under mandatory evacuation status about 9 p.m.
Just realized my tweet last night failed to post. Here it is:
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) September 16, 2018
Today was nothing short of a miracle on the #PoleCreekFire & #BaldMountainFire. Despite severe gusts of up to 50mph, fire crews were able to hold lines & no structures were lost! Tomorrow will be another test.🙏🏼✊🏼
As of 8 p.m. Sunday, the Pole Creek Fire has burned 68,347 acres, and the Bald Mountain blaze has scorched another 13,509, according to Inciweb. Pole Creek remains 2 percent contained, officials said.
Meanwhile, a fire that destroyed two homes in Herriman on Saturday has been nearly contained. A fire that sparked near I-80 at the Tooele-Salt Lake county border grew to 800 acres, officials report.
Saturday's fire coverage:
Fire updates: US Highway 6 closes due to Pole Creek Fire, new blaze closes Great Salt Lake marina
Two wildfires burning in central Utah prompted the closure of U.S. Highway 6 in Spanish Fork Canyon and turned air unhealthy in some areas on Saturday.The following is a comprehensive map of Utah's wildfires in 2018. Zoom in to see the 10 largest fire areas and click on the icons for fire information.
#Fires_map
KSL.com will be providing the latest fire updates throughout the day. This story will be updated as more details become available.
Pole Creek Fire forces evacuation order in parts of Hobble Creek Canyon
Part of Salem City remains under pre-evacuation status
Pole Creek Fire crosses U.S. Highway 6, establishes in Diamond Creek drainage
Community meeting scheduled to discuss Riggs and Lonely fires
Fire near Salt Lake-Tooele county border closes SR-201
U.S. Highway 6 closed again due to Pole Creek Fire, new evacuations ordered
No change in evacuation orders near Pole Creek and Bald Mountain wildfires
Residents in Utah, Juab counties asked to conserve natural gas
New fire burning along Mirror Lake Highway
Thousands evacuated for Pole Creek Fire and Bald Mountain Fire, but evacuation center is empty
Air quality improving, smoke outlook better for Wasatch Front
No evacuations for fire near I-80 at Tooele-Salt Lake county border
US Highway 6 reopens after being closed from Spanish Fork to Helper
Fire near Tooele-Salt Lake county border grows to 800 acres
Power restored after Herriman blaze destroys three buildings
Pole Creek, Bald Mountain fires hold Saturday; no structures destroyed
