MOUNT PLEASANT, Utah — Firefighting officials said they have 15 percent containment on a central Utah wildfire that's burned more than two dozen homes in Sanpete County and is threatening about 300 more.
Gov. Gary Herbert arrived by helicopter Monday at the Wood Hollow Fire, where more than 60 square miles have burned and damage estimates have mounted to $7 million.
"This is going to be a long, hot summer," Herbert said, warning Utah residents that "if you start the fire, you're going to be liable to pay for the fire."
About a dozen of the homes burned in the fire near the central Utah town of Fountain Green are primary residences. The others may be cabins or summer homes, Herbert said.
The losses also include several dozen sheep, although no other injuries have been reported.
More than 1,000 people remain evacuated from the area, Herbert said. Local officials said some of those people may be able to return to their property Tuesday.
Investigators were still trying to determine what caused the fire. So far this year, the state has recorded 402 wildfires, many of them caused by people starting illegal burns or target shooting in drought-wracked areas.
"It's not only frustrating, it's aggravating," Herbert told reporters at a news conference. "We're smarter than that in Utah."
He said costs are likely to mount as the state heads into the primary fire season, when lightning strikes could touch off fires and stretch resources thin.
On Monday, crews were battling a handful of wildfires in other corners of the state:
— In Carbon County's Argyle Canyon, the Church Camp Fire forced the evacuation of more than 100 cabins. The human-caused blaze was sparked Sunday. Crews had no containment on the fire Monday evening and it grew to about 1,000 acres. Authorities said some structures had been destroyed but they didn't know their types or locations.
— Near Saratoga Springs, the 9-square-mile Dump Fire was expected to be fully contained Monday. The human-caused blaze had forced about 2,300 people to flee their homes, but a mandatory evacuation order was lifted late Saturday afternoon.
— In southern Utah, the Quail Fire near the community of Leeds was expected to be fully contained by noon Monday. That blaze led to the evacuation of about 60 homes Saturday, although those orders were lifted later in the day. Two sheds were destroyed, and one person has been cited for starting the fire.
— In central Utah, the 26-square-mile Grease Fire near the central Utah town of Delta was 90 percent contained Sunday. No homes were burned in the human-caused blaze.