FIRE WATCH: Multiple fires start in Tooele County along railway

TOOELE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — Multiple new fires have broken out in Tooele County alongside the railroad.

According to Utah Fire Info, multiple fires started earlier this afternoon alongside the railroad right-of-way. The fires started west of Grantsville and east of Dell and are burning on state and Bureau of Land Management lands.

The largest of the fires, called Salty Track 2, has reached an estimated 60 acres. Another fire, Salty Track, is at an estimated 10 acres.

Fortunately, most fires have reportedly been contained, though the railway has been closed for safety. The cause of the fire reportedly remains under investigation.

Fire restrictions are in place for much of Western Utah, due to persisting dry and hot temperatures.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

According to Utah Fire Info, Stage 1 fire restrictions include the following:

• Campfires and open fires are not allowed outside of approved campgrounds
• and homesites without running water.
• Fireworks and pyrotechnics are banned outside of city limits and on public lands,
• with fireworks always prohibited on federally managed lands in Utah.
• Shooting of exploding targets, tracer ammunition, or incendiary rounds is not
• permitted.
• Metalworking (cutting, grinding, welding) in dry vegetation areas is prohibited.
• Operating equipment without a spark arrestor – including a motorcycle,
• chainsaw, ATV, or other small internal combustion engine equipment.
• Smoking near vegetation or outside of developed recreation sites, personal
• vehicles, or buildings is not allowed.

Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, individuals can have campfires in established fire rings in designated areas and at private homes with running water. More information on allowed and prohibited activities can be found here.

Fire restrictions of any stage do not apply to incorporated cities and towns.