Rain helped to quell a human-caused wildfire burning south of Provo on Wednesday, although a nearby portion of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail remains closed to hikers, equestrians and bikers.
The fire — dubbed the Alaska Fire — has burned about 400 acres in an area east and north of Springville since it started Tuesday around 10 p.m. It’s about 10% contained. No structures are threatened, according to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service.
Smoke from the wildfire was visible Wednesday morning across Provo and neighboring cities. The fire is burning along Provo’s boundary with Springville near Oregon and Alaska avenues. The latter street has given the blaze its name: The Alaska Fire.
Those streets are just below a section of the shoreline trail, which is closed between Slate Canyon and Little Rock Canyon.
The Utah Fire Info Twitter account, operated by the state’s wildfire managers, tweeted that the blaze is being fought on the ground by hand crews and fire engines. A helicopter was also used. The fire burned uphill during the night, according to the Twitter account.
A storm with possible lightning blew through the area Wednesday evening, forcing fire crews off the mountain, spokeswoman Kim Osborn said. Thankfully, she said, no lightning was reported, and instead medium to light rain blanketed the fire zone for several hours, which helped fire crews in their efforts to stop the blaze.
Osborn said crews on Thursday will focus on hot spots and flanking the fire on its north and south sides. Helicopters and ground crews will be used, and an air tanker is available if needed, she said.
