JUAB COUNTY, Utah, Sept. 13, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — Officials have issued mandatory evacuations Thursday evening for communities near the Pole Creek Fire, which has grown to 20,000 acres.
Mandatory evacuation notices are in place for Woodland Hills, Elk Ridge, and Covered Bridge in Spanish Fork Canyon, according to a tweet from Utah County Sheriff’s Office public information officer Sgt. Spencer Cannon.
“The Pole Creek Fire has reached Santaquin Peak, putting them in greater danger,” the tweet said. “Evacuees needing shelter or assistance can gather at Salem Hills High School in Salem.”
The Pole Creek Fire started Sept. 6 in the Mt. Nebo Loop area, and has been found to be caused by lightning.
Due to high winds, air resources are unable to fly Thursday, according to a tweet from Utah Fire Info.
A news release from the Utah County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday afternoon said the Northern Utah Interagency Fire Center has ordered the closure of several canyons and roads.
Santaquin and Payson Canyons are closed, as is Nebo Loop Road from SR-132 in Nephi Canyon.
U.S. Highway 89, in Spanish Fork Canyon, is closed from mile 312, at the Thistle Junction, to mile 298, at the Utah/Sanpete County line. All homes in this area from Nebo Creek to the Thistle Junction are under the mandatory evacuation order.
Gephardt Daily will update the story as more information becomes available.
