Radio Hill Fire doubles in size as crews increase containment

Airplane dropping retardant on the Radio Hill Fire Monday, July 15, 2019 (Rod Boam).
Aerial view of the Radio Hill Fire (Courtesy: Utah Interagency Fire Center).

The fire burning in Box Elder County has doubled in size as fire fighters made progress extinguishing it. The Radio Hill Fire is burning on the hillside, east of Bothwell, in sagebrush and grasses.

Box Elder County public information officer Mitch Zundel said as of Monday afternoon, the blaze had grown to 2,300 acres. The fire is burning on private land and is not threatening any structures.

Fire fighters believe the blaze was ignited by lightening around mid-night Sunday. It quickly grew because of dry conditions and gusting winds.

Zundel said the fire is currently 20 percent contained. There are also no evacuation orders because of the fire.

State, federal, and local resources are on the scene. They are fighting the fire by ground, with the help of two helicopters and an airplane, dropping water and retardant on fire hotspots.

Zundel explained that air operations were grounded temporarily Monday afternoon, when a drone was spotted in the area. He is asking everyone to stay away from the fire and allow fire fighters space to operate.

The fire has produced thick smoke visible through Box Elder and parts of Cache County.


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