A grass wildfire flared up Sunday and pushed toward Parleys Canyon, sending multiple firefighting units into the canyon and lifting smoke above Interstate 80 during the evening commute. Officials focused on protecting motorists and managing traffic as roadside crews attacked the blaze, and drivers were warned to expect delays and give first responders plenty of room to work.
According to KUTV, Unified Fire Authority officials said firefighters were actively responding as the incident spread toward the canyon. The station reported that no immediate information was available on the fire's size, cause, or containment.
Ramp closures and traffic
The Utah Department of Transportation said the eastbound Interstate 80 ramp to southbound Interstate 215 East was closed because of the grass fire, creating heavy backups at the I-80 and I-215 interchange. UDOT urged travelers to monitor its traffic page for live camera feeds and alerts as crews worked to reopen the ramp.
Heat and wildfire risk
The blaze came amid an extreme-heat event across the region that the National Weather Service warned could elevate wildfire danger. High temperatures and dry fuels can allow grass fires to spread quickly, increasing the challenge of keeping blazes away from busy canyon corridors and roadways.
What drivers should do
Drivers in the Salt Lake Valley were urged to avoid Parleys Canyon if possible and to follow directions from first responders, as KUTV reported. Travelers were advised to check the Utah Department of Transportation traffic page and watch for updates from Unified Fire Authority before heading toward Park City or the Wasatch Back.
