SALT LAKE CITY, July 24 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Utah reported making some gains in battling wildfires that have consumed thousands of acres of dry grass and trees.
Smoke from one fire burning 90 miles south of Salt Lake City could be seen in the city on Monday, but crews reported making headway against the blaze, which has consumed 21,251 acres, the Salt Lake Tribune reported Tuesday.
Some state roads that had been closed were reopened, but motorists were advised to avoid the area if possible, and once on the roads to keep moving, the report said.
There was rain in the forecast for Tuesday, which fire spokesman Terry McDonald said would be a definite asset in containing the fires in central Utah.
McDonald said crews had contained 5 percent more of the fire on Monday, meaning it was 20 percent contained.
Elsewhere in the state, two other adjacent fires reportedly consumed 8,942 acres and were considered 40 percent contained.
Fires were also burning in California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Oregon, the report said.
