Utah's Brian Head Fire doubles in size, more evacuations ordered

June 23 (UPI) -- Fire officials in Utah said the Brian Head wildfire nearly doubled in size overnight Thursday, threatening another resort town in the rural southwestern portion of the state.

The fire forced the evacuation of Brian Head, Utah, a tiny ski town where about 750 people were told to leave on Saturday. On Friday, the Mammoth Springs area also was evacuated.

The fire grew to more than 28,000 acres across two counties Friday and is 5 percent contained, officials said Friday. Strong winds and hot temperatures fanned the fire, which grew by 17,000 acres in a single night.

The fire is encroaching on about 400 cabins on the north and east sides of Panguitch Lake, a popular summer tourist destination for fishing. The Garfield County Sheriff's Office said they did not have an exact count on how many people have evacuated the north side of the lake, but some residents crossed to the south side, which was not under immediate threat.

Tourists planning to visit the area were cut off because the fire forced the closure of State Route 143, the lone point of access to the lake. Officials have not given a timetable for when the road will reopen.