This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Interstate 15 has reopened after a wildfire burning near Scipio grew large enough to halt travel on the highway.
The Scipio Summit fire is burning three miles northwest of the Millard County town, and was 300 acres as of 9:25 p.m. Friday, according to state fire officials.
As of 7:45 p.m. Friday, I-15 was shut down in both directions at Scipio, according to the Utah Department of Transportation. By 9:10 p.m., UDOT reopened the highway.
The fire likely began about four days ago when lightning moved through the area, said Jason Curry, spokesman for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. However, it only grew large enough for people to notice it on Friday, he added.
Charles Peterson could see the flames from the Scipio Hotel, where he works as a front desk clerk. The hotel is just east of where U.S. 50 meets I-15. "The fire came across the freeway, and across the frontage road," Peterson said. "[I'm not nervous], but my buddy has cows near there. He just ran down real quick to [see if he can] get them."
The flames were not threatening any structures, but firefighters were keeping a close eye on two homes nearby. Fire crews were also trying to slow its progress toward power lines.
About 60 personnel were fighting the fire, with the help of single-engine air tankers dropping retardant on the flames, Curry said. The fire was primarily burning through heavy sagebrush and juniper trees.
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