Wildfires force evacuations in Tooele and Box Elder counties

SALT LAKE CITY – A wildfire in Tooele County and another in Box Elder County have forced some residents and campers to evacuate.

Strong winds are helping the fires spread and driving smoke into the surrounding areas. In some areas, the mountains or the horizon are no longer visible because of the smoke and haze.

VIDEO BELOW: Live view of a wildfire above Farmington via UDOT traffic cameras:

In Tooele County, the South Willow Fire is burning on private property near the Stansbury Mountains, state wildfire officials said. It was caused by lightning strikes and is being spread by wind. Evacuations have been ordered for North Willow Canyon. The latest estimate was 100 acres.

Meanwhile, the Willow Springs Fire is burning an estimated 280 acres in Box Elder County, west of Promontory Point and near the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. Officials said some structures are threatened and “some” homes have been evacuated. The fire was human-caused. Officials added that East Promontory Road is closed.

In addition, the Rudd Fire is burning in Davis County on the south side of Farmington Canyon. It was sparked by a lightning strike Tuesday evening and is burning in steep, rocky terrain. The area is estimated at 1.6 acres. No evacuations are in place for this fire, but smoke is visible throughout Davis County.

These fires broke out while much of the state was under a wildfire warning due to strong winds and low humidity.