Wildfire sparks at Antelope Island State Park; visitor center evacuated

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — A wildfire that sparked Tuesday in Antelope Island State Park led to the evacuation of the visitors center, according to Utah fire officials.

The blaze, dubbed the “Antelope Fire,” has burned 50 to 100 acres, Utah Fire Info said. An image of the fire posted to social media showed black smoke and flames rising from the charred grasses between what appeared to be the visitors center and the Antelope Island Marina.

While the visitors center was evacuated, the building was not threatened, fire officials said. They added that air crews are dropping fire retardant around the fire to help ground crews contain the flames.

Due to the fire, Utah Department of Natural Resources closed the park, located in the southern arm of the Great Salt Lake. Since last week, the park has been under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, meaning that no open flames of any kind are allowed on Antelope Island.

So far, no cause for the fire has been reported.

The Antelope Fire comes just days after another fire started in the foothills of Salt Lake City, which led to the evacuation of homes near Ensign Peak. As of Tuesay morning, crews were still working that fire, although it was more than 80% contained.

This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post with more information as it becomes available.

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