Firefighters battling rapidly growing wildfire west of Utah Lake

Firefighters on Friday afternoon were battling a blaze west of Utah Lake that has prompted the closure of Redwood Road (State Road 68) in Utah County six miles south of Saratoga Springs. The road closure extended about 10 miles south.

The Little Cove Fire burned more than 150 acres and grew with the help of 15 mph winds from the north, said Jason Curry, public information officer for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. The human-caused fire began this afternoon after witnesses said they heard an explosion shortly before seeing the fire, Curry said.

The wildfire burned grass and brush and moved uphill, but did not threatened any structures, Curry said. The most immediate threat was the wind pushing the fire south toward some farm homes a couple miles away.

Five fire engines and one helicopter responded to fight the blaze. Redwood Road was later opened, but fire officials were still in the area and cautioned drivers when traveling through.

cimaron@sltrib.com

Twitter: @CimCity