SPRINGVILLE —The new wildfire burning in Utah County has expanded to more than 650 acres, the U.S Forest Service announced in an update Friday evening.
The Cherry Fire is burning east of Springville and Mapleton in Hobble Creek Canyon and is 0% contained.
Crews continue to battle the fire with resources on the ground and in the air, the agency said.
Friday’s weather didn’t help crews fighting the fire due to erratic winds and temperatures that peaked into the 70s, the U.S Forest Service said.
“Weather tomorrow includes continued erratic winds as predicted thunderstorms move into the area,” a social media post published by the forest service Friday night reads.
The fire’s growth has prompted fire officials to prepare locals for the potential of more evacuations being ordered.
The U.S Forest Service said an alert was sent out Friday afternoon by Utah County Emergency Management, notifying people within the Left Fork Hobble Creek to Strawberry areas that upon request, they may need to leave their property.
“This effectively puts anyone in the area in a ‘set’ status. Evacuation orders are also in place for camp sites in the Right Hand Fork of Hobble Creek,” the U.S Forest Service said.
The fire sparked Thursday afternoon and prompted the evacuation of homes and RVs in Hobble Creek Canyon by Thursday evening as it had grown to more than 100 acres. Those residents and visitors were told to expect to remain evacuated until Sunday at least.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.