VIDEO/PHOTOS: Evacuations have been ordered after a fire ignites in Sevier County. The fire started Sunday just after 2 p.m. in an area burning in the mountains southwest of Monroe, about 10 miles south of Richfield near the Fishlake National Forest. Heavy spoke was visible from Interstate 70. State fire officials said around 40 to 50 structures were threatened. It was not known how many of those were homes.
The fire was initially estimated at 50 acres. It has since been estimated at 700 acres. US Forest Service officials from the Fishlake National Forest said the evacuations were primarily in the Magleby and Monroe Meadows areas. Evacuations were in progress, according to the Sevier County Sheriffโs Office. Monroe Canyon Road has been closed.
Anyone remaining in the area has been asked to evacuate down the Koosharem side of the mountain. The public has been asked to stay out of the area to allow firefighters to do their work. Officials have not said how the believe the fire started. Firefighters from the Marysvale Fire Department have been sent to the fire to help protect structures, according to their Facebook page. Search and rescue crews have also been sent to help clear roads and aid with evacuations.
