A wildfire that broke out late Thursday in American Fork Canyon forced the evacuation of the Timpooneke Campground and prompted closure of Tibble Fork Reservoir while firefighters mount air and ground operations.
The Timp Fire was first reported shortly after 11 p.m. and was estimated at about 5 acres, the U.S. Forest Service said. As of Friday morning the blaze was listed as 0% contained.
What residents and visitors need to know
- Timpooneke Campground and the Mutual Dell area have been evacuated.
- Timpooneke Road is closed at Alpine Loop Road.
- The Utah County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Forest Service are working to close Tibble Fork Reservoir to clear airspace and support firefighting aircraft.
- Do not stop along American Fork Canyon or Alpine Loop Road to watch the fire; stopped vehicles create hazards for emergency responders.
- Do not fly drones near the fire or the reservoir; aircraft interference can disrupt suppression efforts and endanger crews.
Utah County Commissioner Skyler Beltran urged people to stay away from the area while the Forest Service manages the situation. He also warned against flying unmanned aircraft near the scene.
“It’s best to just avoid the area today. The U.S. Forest Service is actively managing the fire. Please also remember not to fly drones near the fire or the reservoir.”
Closures and impacts
Forest Service officials said several trails near the fire are closed. The coordinated closures aim to give firefighting aircraft and ground crews space to work without interference from recreational users.
| Location | Status |
|---|---|
| Timpooneke Campground | Evacuated |
| Timpooneke Road at Alpine Loop Road | Closed |
| Tibble Fork Reservoir | Closed for firefighting operations |
Regional fire conditions and related incidents
The Timp Fire is not the only wildfire active in Utah County. State fire officials reported a lightning-caused blaze west of Utah Lake near Saratoga Springs called the Twenty Two Fire, which burned about 41 acres and was listed at roughly 75% contained Thursday night.
Fire managers across the state are also watching the larger Cottonwood Fire east of Beaver. That incident has expanded to 97,130 acres since it began June 22 and was reported at 58% containment with 1,175 personnel assigned.
Meteorologists warn that unusually hot conditions this weekend and into early next week will further dry fuels and increase fire risk. Forecasts call for gusts up to 30 mph and relative humidity potentially falling as low as 6% in parts of southwest Utah; the National Weather Service has issued red-flag warnings for some areas.
Officials asked the public to heed closures and avoid recreating in and around American Fork Canyon while suppression efforts continue. Those with recreation plans in the Wasatch Front and surrounding ranges should check Forest Service and county social media feeds for the latest restrictions and evacuation notices.
News Block will update this story as agencies release new information.
