Stookey Fire Explodes to Over 6,600 Acres Overnight, Reaching New Ground

What started as a modest blaze near the Stookey area early this week has now ballooned into a sprawling 6,600‑acre inferno, officials said late Thursday night. The fire’s rapid expansion caught many off‑guard, especially as it leapt onto terrain that hadn’t previously been in the danger zone.

Fire crews on the ground report that strong winds gusting up to 25 mph fanned the flames, pushing them uphill and across a ridge that separates two long‑standing forest sections. It’s the kind of shift that makes a fire harder to contain, and the numbers reflect that – containment has slipped back to just 15 % after briefly hitting 30 % earlier in the day.

Local residents, many of whom have already been living with smoke and evacuation notices, are now being asked to pack up again. The county sheriff’s office issued new evacuation orders for the northern foothills, and a handful of shelters have opened in nearby schools and community centers. “It’s frustrating, but safety comes first,” one homeowner said, sighing as they loaded a truck with belongings.

Air quality, already poor across much of the Wasatch Front, has taken another hit. The Utah Department of Environmental Quality has upgraded the advisory to an “unhealthy” level for the surrounding counties, warning people with respiratory issues to stay indoors and keep windows closed.

On the firefighting side, resources are stretched thin. More than 200 personnel, including air tankers, ground crews, and incident management teams, are now on the line. The state has also requested additional support from neighboring states, hoping to bring in extra crews and equipment before the fire spreads further into the wilderness.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire, though preliminary reports suggest a possible human ignition source. Until the investigation concludes, officials urge anyone in the area to stay alert, obey evacuation orders, and avoid the fire‑affected zones altogether.