On Tuesday afternoon, smoke began to rise above the cliffs just north of Helper.
The Helper City Fire Department announced at nearly 3 p.m. that crews were on scene for a fire in the Bear Canyon area. Bear Canyon is located just north of Helper in Price Canyon near mile marker 228 on Highway 6.
According to Utah Fire Info, the blaze began at approximately 1 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon. The original report stated that 60 acres had burned but the fire is rapidly spreading. Due to the fire’s behaviors, crews had to disengage from the task, causing air to be the only resource fighting the fire.
Utah Fire Info’s most recent report declared that two structures are being threatened by the fire. Included in the report, it was also stated that over 500 acres has burned.
At this time, the cause of the blaze is still under investigation. Helper Fire has asked residents to not report the fire and to avoid the area. Utah Fire Info also pleaded travelers to “not stop along Hwy 6 near the fire area to take photos or watch suppression efforts. Proceed with caution and be on the lookout for firefighters working along the travel corridor.”
Continue to check back with ETV News for more information as it is made available.