Francis Fire in Fruit Heights grows to 365 acres

The Francis Fire, in Fruit Heights, has grown to 350 acres. Photo: Utah Fire Info

FRUIT HEIGHTS, Utah, Sept. 17. 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — The Francis Fire, burning in the hills above Fruit Heights, grew from 200 acres Monday night to more than 350 acres Tuesday morning.

According to UtahFireInfo.gov the “#FrancisFire is 365 acres and 10% contained,” the tweet says. “Firefighters will focus on securing fire lines on the bottom portion of the fire today.”

Those evacuated due to the fire, which began on the hillside behind Fruit Heights on Monday afternoon, were allowed to return home that night at 10 p.m., but were advised to be ready to leave again if necessary.

Resources on scene include 17 structure and wildland fire engines, two squads, four helicopters, two air tankers, one lead plane and one air attack, Utah Fire Info said.

High winds are presenting a challenge to firefighting efforts on this blaze, which is burning in grass and oak brush.

Officials said Tuesday that the fire may have been sparked by lightning days earlier, but smoldered until recent wind storms whipped the flames and increased their size.

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