Wind-whipped Ether Hollow Fire forces evacuations in Springville and Mapleton

Sep 7, 2020, 7:08 PM | Updated: 10:10 pm

The Ether Hollow Fire, burning near Mapleton, forced evacuations on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. Photo: Emily Williams

News Director

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 Ether Hollow Fire, burning near Mapleton, forced evacuations on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. Photo: Emily Williams

The Ether Hollow Fire, burning near Mapleton, forced evacuations on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. Photo: KSL TV

The Ether Hollow Fire, burning near Mapleton, forced evacuations on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. Photo: Jim Miller

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.

Follow @KSLbbruce

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Wildfire

TY ONEIL Associated Press

U.S. wildfires are prompting changes in firefighting workforce

Forecasters are warning that the potential for wildfires will be above normal in some areas across the United States over the coming months as temperatures rise and rain becomes sparse.

10 days ago

Associated Press

Wildfire grows into one of largest in Texas history as flames menace multiple small towns

Known as the Smokehouse Creek Fire, the largest blaze expanded to more than 1,300 square miles and jumped into parts of neighboring Oklahoma.

2 months ago

After starting the new year with poor air quality, Utah may finally be able to take a breath and fi...

Heather Peterson

New black carbon sensor is more portable but just as accurate, study finds

A new study from the University of Utah finds that recently released black carbon new units are just as accurate in detecting black carbon, but they are more portable and affordable.

2 months ago

Cane toads produce poison in large glands perched on their shoulders that's fatal for some animals....

Hilary Whiteman, CNN

This warty, toxic pest threatens entire ecosystems. These scientists have a secret weapon

Originally Published: 19 JAN 24 18:42 ET Updated: 19 JAN 24 21:50 ET Brisbane, Australia (CNN) — On the edge of a dark, suburban park in Brisbane, teams of volunteer toad-catchers gather around Gary King as he shoves another squirming specimen into a cooler box. “Who’s got some more?” asks King, a local leader of […]

3 months ago