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Evacuations lifted for Utah County residents impacted by Range Fire, which is now moving north

After fire officials in Utah County ordered the evacuation of some homes around Provo Canyon on Saturday, those people were allowed to return on Sunday morning.

The Orem Police Department sent out an alert on social media announcing that the mandatory evacuation had been lifted, and that “if you have been evacuated then you are now able to safely return to the area.” They do not anticipate the fire will threaten any structures.

The Range Fire began Saturday about noon, above Orem, near a gun range.

Utah Fire Info provided an update Sunday morning, noting that the fire “has backed down to [within] a few hundred feet of Nunns & Canyon Glen parks. Has not crossed HWY 189.”

However, hours later, subsequent updates said that the fire was “making a run to the North,” adding that “aviation resources in coordination with firefighters on the ground are engaged in suppression efforts.”

As of Sunday afternoon, the Range Fire was estimated to be at “3,000 acres and growing.”

U.S. Highway 189 in Provo Canyon is to remain closed for all of Sunday, according to a tweet from the Utah Department of Transportation, to enable crews to continue fire control work. Motorists are encouraged to use Interstate 80 and U.S. 40 as alternate routes, while being told to avoid using State Road 92/Alpine Loop, “as it is a narrow winding road … open for local traffic only.”

Meanwhile, Utah Fire Info also provided an update on the Fire Canyon Fire in Summit County.

That blaze, which is said to be human-caused, was mapped at 1,460 acres as of Sunday morning.

“Firefighters conducted a successful burn out operation along the heel of the fire last night and secured 10% containment,” the tweet states.

Efforts will continue today, with fire crews, heavy equipment and aircraft all being used to “suppress hot spots and secure fireline.”

The blaze started between Echo and Henefer, east of Interstate 84, and isn’t threatening any buildings.