SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, June 8, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — A two-alarm brush fire within a 15-acre section between 500 South and North Temple Street, and by Bangerter Road and 4000 West in Salt Lake City had firefighters scrambling Wednesday night.
The fire — thought to have been started by a passing freight train — snarled traffic in both directions on I-80 prompting UDOT to ask drivers to avoid the area stretching from Wright Brothers Drive to Redwood Road.
The Salt Lake City Fire Department responded to the brush fire at approximately 7:15 p.m., according to a news release.
Approximately 60 firefighters battled the blaze, which was contained by 9:30 p.m.
The cause is still under investigation. However, initial reports indicate that sparks from a traveling train, headed westbound in the area, may have caused several small grass fires in the area, leading to the larger blaze.
No one was harmed in the incident, and no structures were affected.
Heavy smoke affected visibility for several hours, and flames were extinguished and crews were complete off-scene around midnight.
Salt Lake City Fire Department was assisted by the Air National Guard, Utah Highway Patrol, Salt Lake City Police Department, Department of Natural Resources and West Valley Fire Department
The exact extent of the damages caused has yet to be determined.
