Update: Marina Fire near Saltair believed to be human-caused

Apr 30, 2022, 7:57 PM | Updated: May 2, 2022, 10:30 am

Fire danger is on the rise across the state, thanks to the wind blowing and drying things out. Wind...

FILE: A wildfire burning near the Saltair Marina in Magna. Smoke from wildfires has caused health-related issues to increase by 66 percent over the last decade. (Utah Fire Info)

(Utah Fire Info)

BY BECKY BRUCE

News Director

MAGNA, Utah — A fire that burned about 120 acres near Saltair is believed to have been caused by humans.

The Unified Fire Authority confirms that the Marina Fire began late Saturday just west of the frontage road. It was burning in the phragmites (or large perennial reed grasses) that grow alongside the frontage road.

The UFA said that no structures were threatened by the fire, and that no bystanders or fire personnel were injured while extinguishing the fire.

UFA spokesman Aaron Lance said the blaze was fully contained around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday.

No arrests had been made by mid morning on Monday, May 2.

New fire start: The #MarinaFire is located west of Salt Air Marina of the Great Salt Lake. It is estimated at 50 acres. Structure protection is in place near the marina. Fire cause is under investigation. #ffslkmy pic.twitter.com/CWr63hneTy

— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) May 1, 2022

Simone Seikaly contributed to this report.

This story will be updated. Our original reporting follows.

MAGNA, UTAH — Multiple crews from different fire departments responded late Saturday to a brush fire burning near the Great Saltair, not far from I-80.

A spokesman for the Unified Fire Authority, Aaron Lance, told KSL the fire is contained between the frontage road and the Great Salt Lake, on the shores of which Saltair sits. He said they first learned about the fire around 7 p.m. Saturday.

“There’s no structures threatened at this time and no injuries to any passersby or any fire [personnel],” Lance said. He did not know what caused it.

Traffic on I-80 continues to flow freely, but the fire did affect traffic along the Saltair frontage road.

Traffic cameras along I-80 captured the swiftly-moving brush fire near the Great Saltair on Saturday, Apr. 30, 2022. Photo: UDOT

Lance could not estimate the size of the fire. Initially, the smoke could be seen from the other side of the Salt Lake Valley. Lance expected crews would likely be in for a long night ahead.

This story will be updated.

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