Firefighters battling two blazes in Box Elder County

Crews fighting a fire burning near Portage. 

Crews are fighting two wildfires in Box Elder County that started Friday and Saturday. The two fires are the first to occur in northern Utah.

In a press release, Box Elder public information officer Mitch Zundel said the Murray Hill Fire started Friday night in Willard, east of US-89. It had burned around 144 acres as of Saturday and was moving up the hillside.

The fire was started by a spark from a power line. It quickly spread because of wind and was threatening several homes and structures. Crews are trying to keep the fire from spreading north and south.

Zundel said there are around 85 firefighters working the blaze. The fire has moved into steep rocky terrain, making work difficult. The fire is around 30% contained.

Saturday afternoon a second fire started, burning sagebrush and grass southeast of Portage.

Zundel said the fire quickly burned around 50 acres as of Saturday afternoon, east of I-15. It is not threatening any homes of structures. The cause is unknown.

There are 14 firefighters working to extinguish the fire. It is currently at 0% containment.

Zundel expressed appreciation for those who donated food and beverages to firefighters.

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