Tooele County wildfire grows to more than 1,700 acres

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Crews battle the Green Ravine fire as it continues to burn near Tooele, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019.

A wildfire near Lake Point in Tooele County has grown to more than 1,700 acres, according to Utah fire officials.

The Green Ravine Fire was not a threat to homes as of Wednesday afternoon and no injuries have been reported. However, wind continued to drive the flames, and the fire is only 10% contained.

Communication towers on Farnworth Peak were at risk, said Jason Curry, spokesman for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. The fire came within a mile of the installation on Wednesday, and firefighters focused efforts on keeping the flames away from it.

On Tuesday evening, winds “pushed the northern flank of the fire to within 200 yards of homes," Curry said. "We had resources close by and deployed hand crews and several engines.”

No evacuations were ordered, although some residents left their homes as a precaution, he said.

Curry said Wednesday morning that “most of the activity is higher up in the thicker vegetation." Gusty, erratic winds combined with the steep terrain will make suppressing the fire challenging.

About 110 firefighters from multiple agencies along with helicopters were on scene. An additional 20 to 40 firefighters are expected to arrive Wednesday to help.

Fire officials are still looking into the cause, but suspect it may have been “human caused" and are "looking at power lines” as a possibility.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Caden Terry, 15, does what he can as he joins neighbors in cutting down tall brush as crews battle a grass fire in Tooele county being dubbed the Green Ravine fire as it burns on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019.