Controlled burn turns into wildfire

Controlled burn turns into wildfire

UPDATE: As of Friday afternoon, the fire grew to 878 acres Thursday, but may have slowed its advance on East Mountain.

There are currently 208 personnel on the fire, with 12 engines, four helicopters and four air tankers.

Forest Service officials say a prescribed fire in Emery county has turned into a wildfire.

An unexpected thunderstorm passing through central Utah Wednesday afternoon spread the Trail Mountain Prescribed Fire across Cottonwood Canyon and onto East Mountain. About 300 acres have burned.

According to officials, the fire was declared a wildfire in order to get additional resources. 

Efforts will now focus on containing the  fire. Officials expect to have the fire controlled again by Sunday.