Iron Fire reaches 24,000 acres, burning across three counties in central Utah

EUREKA, Utah (KUTV) — The Iron Fire was mapped at more than 24,000 acres on Monday, with the fire burning across Juab, Utah and Tooele Counties.

The Iron Fire grew to over 24,000 acres with 0% containment as of Monday, according to fire officials.

The wildfire ignited Friday night and grew about 20,000 acres within just over a 24-hour period. The fire forced evacuations for the town of Eureka and neighboring ranches, as the wildfire burned up to the town borders.

The evacuations remain in place, and it is unclear when they will be lifted. However, fire officials said they expect residents will be allowed to return in the next day or two as the fire has been stopped along the town’s border.

Officials said winds are pushing the flames east toward the town of Elberta. They placed the town under a “READY status and advised residents to pay attention to any new developments.

Fire officials said there were “light fuels” surrounding Elberta, which should make it easier to fight the fire should it approach the town.

As of Monday afternoon, no primary homes were lost in the fire. They said some small outbuildings were damaged or destroyed, but no primary structures have been impacted.

Gov. Spencer Cox praised the firefighters who worked to protect the homes, calling it “pretty much a miracle” that no homes were destroyed.

“There was a time when we wondered if we were going to lose the whole town,” he said Sunday.

Firefighters are working on containment and expect to make some progress on Monday despite the wildfire’s continual growth.

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