WILDFIRE
Wind-whipped Ether Hollow Fire forces evacuations in Springville and Mapleton
Sep 7, 2020, 7:08 PM | Updated: 10:10 pm
MAPLETON, Utah — Evacuations are underway in Utah County as a result of the Ether Hollow Fire, burning between Springville and Mapleton, including 211 homes. All of Hobble Creek Canyon is evacuated as well as 135 homes in the Grindstone community. Mapleton police said Quiet Meadow Lane, Whiting Campground and homes at 400 North and 1600 East, along with everything northeast of this address, are being evacuated.
The #EtherHollowFire has grown to 1,000 acres. Both upper and lower sections of the Grind Stone community are being evacuated. Roughly 80 personnel are assigned including air, heavy equipment and ground resources. #ffslkw
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) September 8, 2020
Due to high winds, nearly all aerial firefighting resources are unable to fly on the #EtherHollowFire | Evacuacations underway in Mapleton. Further evacuations possible soon in Hobble Creek Cyn. #ffsljc
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) September 8, 2020
Two major fires in two days caused by target shooting. This is not the time to carelessly shoot into the wildlands folks. This has to stop. #ffsljc
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) September 8, 2020
Due to the Ether Hollow Fire near Mapleton, of Hobble Creek Canyon is on pre-evacuation notice. Up to Grindstone is being evacuated. Maple Canyon and Whiting Campground are being evacuated. pic.twitter.com/YA1azIITma
— Utah County Sheriff (@UCSO) September 8, 2020
BREAKING: Evacuations are underway in Mapleton due to the #EtherHollowFire, which has burned an estimated 500 acres between Mapleton & Springville. #KSLTV
Updates here: https://t.co/aOlHW6VidV
(🎥: Ryan Allred) pic.twitter.com/wyHf4jIZ4h
— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) September 8, 2020
This fire is above Mapleton. The two pictures were taken six minutes apart. Unbelievable how fast wildfire can spread. A big shout out to all the wildland fire fighters out working on our behalf tonight! #utah #utahcounty #2020fireseason pic.twitter.com/5Y6qMWuSLP
— Utah County Fire Marshal (@UC_FireMarshal) September 8, 2020
They have not said what caused it. However, a tweet from Utah Fire Info indicated target shooting as a possible cause for at least two fires in the last 24 hours. The second fire, the William Fire, is burning near Santaquin.
State fire officials say they can’t currently fight the fire from the air because of strong winds.
This story will be updated.