A new wildfire, named the Cherry Fire, has forced evacuations in Hobble Creek Canyon, located east of Springville and Mapleton. The Utah County Sheriff's Office reported the fire on Thursday evening around 5 p.m., rapidly growing to encompass 150 acres. As reported by KSL, residents and recreational visitors in the area, including those with RVs, were required to evacuate as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
Despite minimal wind conditions, the Cherry Fire has quickly spread through dry vegetation. According to FOX 13, excessively dry trees and underbrush have helped to fuel the fire's expansion. Firefighting resources, including helicopters, planes, and ground crews from various agencies, have been deployed to battle the inferno. Even with these efforts, the wildfire remains an actively dangerous situation.
Local ranchers have been seen taking swift action amid the crisis. KUTV documented ranchers rushing their cattle out of harm's way as firefighters aimed to prevent the spread of the flames. While the exact cause is still under investigation, a camper named Barney, present in the canyon, indicated to KUTV that sheriff’s deputies suggested the fire may have been triggered by ATV riders on the mountain.
