AMERICAN FORK CANYON, Utah, July 24, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Three people were injured when a Utility Task Vehicle exploded in American Fork Canyon Sunday afternoon.
The explosion of the small vehicle, sometimes called a side-by-side, sparked a wildland fire.
Tweets from Lone Peak Fire District said three people were injured, and one of them was taken to the University of Utah Hospital burn center in serious condition.
The explosion caused a fire in the mineral flats. Officials have asked the public to avoid the area.
K.J. Pollock, United States Forest Service spokesman, said at 6:45 p.m. that the fire had burned 10 acres. A helicopter, two engines and one handcrew of wildlife fighters are assisting with extinguishing the blaze, he said. Another handcrew has been ordered.
According to a U.S. government website, a handcrew usually consists of 18 to 20 firefighters
Pollock said that people who had pulled off the side of the road to camp in the area have been evacuated, but no campgrounds have been evacuated.
Gephardt Daily will have more on this developing story as information becomes available.
