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Wildfire forces evacuation of Utah ski town

By Eric DuVall

June 17 (UPI) -- A fast-moving wildfire officials said was sparked by human action forced officials to order a full evacuation of a Utah ski resort town.

Town marshals in Brian Head, Utah, ordered the entire town evacuated as a wildfire that already engulfed 350 acres in just a few hours Saturday afternoon approached populated areas.

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Because ski season is long since over, only the few dozen year-round residents of Brian Head were affected, though the posh ski resorts patronized during the winter were in danger of burning if firefighters were not able to stop the advancing flames.

Utah wildlife officials said the fire was the result of human action, but did not say specifically how it started. Firefighters said there was no estimate of how much of the fire had been contained in the initial hours since it was first reported.

Town marshals said the evacuation order would remain in place "indefinitely."

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