Summit County issued a drift smoke advisory that morning after haze from the Widemouth 2 Fire became visible across the Wasatch Back. The fire, burning south of Kanosh on Fishlake National Forest land in Millard County, had grown to approximately 5,000 acres with zero containment as of Tuesday night, July 28, according to the Millard County Sheriff's Office.
Officials confirmed no active fires are burning within Summit County.
Lightning from a thunderstorm that passed through the Kanosh area Monday evening, July 27, is the suspected cause, KUTV reported. About 150 firefighters, along with federal, state and local agencies, Utah Highway Patrol troopers, and the Millard County Jeep Posse, were assigned to the blaze. Multiple aircraft were conducting retardant drops. No injuries or structure losses had been reported as of late Tuesday.
Evacuations were ordered overnight for residents on Turkey Track Lane and Cemetery Road south of Kanosh. An evacuation center opened at the Fillmore LDS Stake Center, 25 S. 300 West in Fillmore.
What it means for Park City residents
The Summit County Health Department recommended that children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with asthma, heart disease or other respiratory conditions limit their time outdoors. The Utah Division of Air Quality warned that wildfire smoke could produce elevated fine particulate pollution across parts of the state this week and urged people with heart or respiratory conditions to reduce physical exertion when smoke thickens.
Winds are expected to shift out of the north over the coming days, potentially carrying additional smoke from fires outside Utah into the county, according to the advisory reported by TownLift. Conditions can change quickly depending on wind direction, fire behavior and terrain.
Summit County also reminded residents to report a possible wildfire only if they see flames or a clearly defined column of smoke, not just haze.
Stage 2 fire restrictions in effect
Both Summit and Wasatch counties remain under Stage 2 fire restrictions amid extreme fire danger and dry vegetation. The restrictions ban campfires, charcoal fires, fireworks and other open flames on state and unincorporated private land. Limited exceptions apply for certain gas-powered devices. KPCW reported Wasatch County elevated its restrictions on Tuesday, July 28.
The Widemouth 2 Fire is separate from the Buck Basin Fire in Wasatch County, which was 64% contained at 143 acres as of July 17. As we reported July 23, monsoon rain helped crews gain ground on that blaze.
How to stay informed
Residents can check real-time air quality at the Summit County Health Department's outdoor air webpage at summitcountyhealth.org/outdoor-air. For nonemergency wildfire, weather and burn-restriction updates, text SCFIRE to 91896.
