SANTAQUIN, Utah, Sept. 7, 2020 (Gephardt Daily) — Officials are warning drivers not to stop in the area of the William Fire, which sparked Sunday afternoon east and south of Santaquin.
“The fire in Juab County is drawing a lot of attention from passersby on I-15 at about mile marker 240, creating an unsafe situation,” said a tweet from Utah Highway Patrol. “Just a reminder, it is unlawful to make a non-emergency stop on the interstate.”
A follow-up tweet said: “If freeway traffic weren’t enough for those that stop to be worried about, aerial crews are still flying overhead battling the blaze. Please keep moving at or near freeway speed through this area.”
A Facebook post from Santaquin City Fire and EMS Monday afternoon added: “PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE avoid the urge to drive up anywhere near Pole Canyon. We need to keep 100 West, south of 900 South clear. There are a lot of fire apparatus coming and going and the onlookers are impeding that effort. Please enjoy your fire viewing from afar. Local traffic only.”
The fire broke out at approximately 2 p.m. Sunday and as of Monday afternoon, is 5% contained at 1,200 acres.
Officials are investigating the fire as human-caused, according to Utah Fire Info.
A Facebook post from Santaquin City Fire and EMS Sunday said: “Santaquin crews are working with other local, state, and federal agencies to control the blaze. We appreciate the efforts of Rocky Ridge Fire Department, Juab County Fire crews, Payson Fire, Utah County Fire, Genola Fire, and all other incoming crews for their assistance.”
Gephardt Daily will have more on this developing story as information is made available.
