SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — A wildfire Saturday afternoon resulted in thousands of Summit County residents being ordered to evacuate, and they are expected to remain evacuated until Sunday night — at the earliest.
READ: Homes evacuated due to human-caused wildfire in Parleys Canyon
An estimated 6,000-8,000 homes were under mandatory evacuations due to the Parleys Canyon Fire, which was sparked by a vehicle with a faulty catalytic converter on I-80.
Summit County officials announced around 7:20 p.m. that evacuees likely won’t be able to return to their homes for 24-48 hours from the time of their post.
The American Red Cross of Utah has an evacuation shelter at Park City High School, located at 1750 Kearns Blvd.
?#ParleysCanyonFire: We’re currently providing comfort and care to 25 evacuees at the #RedCross Evacuation Center open at Park City High School, 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, Utah 84060. Please check in with a volunteer when you arrive and don’t forget to bring your mask! pic.twitter.com/trkJ6ZXe2h
— American Red Cross of Utah (@RedCrossUtah) August 15, 2021
The Summit County Sheriff’s Office said businesses in the lower Pinebrook area, such as grocery stores and restaurants, are expected to open Sunday to provide services to residents.
“If fire behavior changes, we will make decisions accordingly,” the agency wrote in a Facebook post. “Thank you to everyone for your understanding and support.”
Pet owners who have been evacuated and need assistance are advised to contact Summit County animal control at 435-615-3600.
Law enforcement went door-to-door in the evacuated areas to inform residents, as seen in the video below:
The sheriff’s office personnel, as well as search and rescue volunteers, spray-painted symbols on the street in front of the homes to indicate the evacuation status. Orange paint is from a primary evacuation effort, white paint is a secondary check, and a painted checkmark indicates the number of people evacuated.
Members of @SummitCountySO & SAR are going door-to-door trying to evacuate people from the #ParleysCanyonFire.
Here’s how they track/keep count:
? paint is from primary evacuation effort.
? paint is a secondary check.
✔️ indicates # of people evacuated.?Pinebrook pic.twitter.com/8MYLZvIENd
— ????? ?????? (@brian_schnee) August 15, 2021
FOX 13 will provide the latest updates online and on the air as the situation develops.