LOGAN — Firefighters are continuing to fight a wildfire spanning an estimated 50 to 70 acres in Logan Canyon that had triggered a closure of the highway and evacuations in the Lewis M. Turner and Tony Grove areas.
Utah Fire Info reports the Rick Springs Fire, located about 15 miles northeast of Logan, is burning on both sides of US-89 in grass, brush, and timber. The blaze started Tuesday afternoon around 3:45 p.m. and is suspected to be human-caused but remains under investigation.
Due to safety concerns and to allow firefighters space, officials closed US-89 to through traffic between mileposts 477 and 479. It remained closed through the night and was reopened Wednesday morning at 7:15 a.m.
At 9 a.m. fire officials lifted the evacuation orders for the Lewis M. Turner and Tony Grove areas, allowing people back into the camping and picnic areas.
Utah Fire Info advised motorists to expect delays travelling through the canyon as pilot cars are used to allow traffic through the impacted area.
More than 130 personnel are on scene, including multiple engines from the Logan City Fire Department, Cache County Fire District, state, and Forest Service agencies, along with four crews and one helicopter. A Type 3 Incident Management Team has been ordered and is expected to assume control of the fire Wednesday.