The Goose Point Fire in Utah County grew from about 700 acres on Wednesday to 6,500 acres by midday Thursday, but the fire has been kept away from people and structures.
“Right now, everything’s holding its own, so I won’t say anybody’s in immediate danger,” said Dave Vickers, an area fire management officer with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.
And strong winds were recorded on Thursday and caused smoke to “lay down” on the west side of the fire, but firefighters kept their lines secure, fire officials tweeted.
The fire, which Vickers said is believed to have been caused by machinery operating in the area, began Wednesday on West Mountain, west of Payson and Utah Lake. The fire burned up the mountain and over the summit, and is burning on both sides of the peak. It came within about 1½ miles of about 15 homes, but firefighters used bulldozers to create a six-mile line between the houses and the fire.
As of Thursday evening, the fire was 60% contained, and there were no mandatory evacuations.
According to Vickers, the plan Thursday was to create a “dozer line” around the entire fire — to “basically ring the mountain” and light backfires to contain the blaze.
Spokeswoman Kim Osborn said there was not fuel left to burn inside the fire lines. So on Friday, firefighters will continue to try to hold fire lines and will work to put out hot spots.
Tribune reporter Paighten Harkins contributed to this article.
Follow @ScottDPierce