This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
After nearly two weeks of fighting the stubborn Broad Mouth Fire along the Utah-Idaho border, crews were close to containing the remote, high desert blaze as the weekend approached.
Fire Information Officer Joan Hammer reported Friday that the 20,619-acre wildfire, which began Aug. 3 near the Box Elder County hamlet of Plymouth, was 91 percent contained.
About 65 firefighters, with fire retardant- and water-bearing aircraft assisting, were snuffing hot spots and flareups on the interior of the blaze while working to finally complete fire breaks and lines.
The fire's activity has been subdued of late, with recent thunderstorms and rain showers helping dampen any new growth.
Meanwhile, the Box Canyon Fire continued to smoke in Summit County, having burned 2,642 acres in steep, rugged timber and grass about 12 miles east of Oakley. Fire Information Officer Annette Disert said it was 15 percent contained.
The fire remained active in the Smith and Morehouse canyons and Hells Kitchen areas, but about 60 firefighters — again aided by helicopters and air tankers — were successfully keeping flames within the perimeter of the two-week-old, human-caused blaze.
The west side of the Ledgefork Campground had been reopened as of Friday, as flames remained 3 miles distant.
However, Disert warned that campers should be aware that the site could be evacuated on short notice if fire activity and winds kick up this weekend.
A 3-acre blaze in Big Cottonwood Canyon has closed Mineral Fork Trail to make room for suppression efforts. The fire, cause unknown, is sending up significant smoke as it burns the canyon's timber understory.
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