Firefighters battling a wildfire in south-west Utah said they had had a “good day” Sunday in their fight to contain a 42,800-acre fire. The blaze, which started on June 17, is still only 10% contained but experienced “minimal growth on the fire perimeter” on Sunday, according to a statement by local fire services. “[Sunday] was a good day for firefighters, who were able to have success securing areas of particular concern, including the many structures affected by the Brian Head Fire,” incident commander Tim Roide said. South-west winds could force the blaze to spread however, the statement said. The wildfire has already forced an evacuation of over 1,500 people, according to local broadcaster KUTV.
In California, a car accident started a fire in Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County, triggering mandatory evacuations in some neighbourhoods, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Many parts of western United States have been struggling with heatwaves over recent days.
Las Vegas recorded its equal highest temperature ever on Tuesday of 47.2C.
The wildfire burned up to the the edge of a home but left it standing outside Panguitch, Utah.
