EVANSTON — Investigators suspect arson was the cause of a string of fires along Interstate 80 in Utah and Wyoming, including one in Uinta County that began on the afternoon of Monday, Sept. 3, at mile marker 38 near the Carter/Mountain View exit. 

Dexter Mohler of the Bridger Valley Fire Department said the Uinta County fire began at about 3 p.m. on Monday afternoon and burned approximately a quarter of an acre before being extinguished by firefighters. The cause of the fire is under investigation but there was evidence at the scene consistent with evidence found at other fires that began in Utah earlier in the day Monday. Mohler said they are working with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation on the case.

Utah news outlets reported at least six different fires in Tooele and Summit counties on Monday, and Mohler said it appears that other incidents further east on I-80 in Wyoming may also be linked. The Deseret News reported Wednesday that five fires in Sweetwater County are under investigation and are believed to be linked to the others.

According to Utah news reports, investigators believe someone threw flammable material out of a moving vehicle to start the fires. 

While most of the fires were controlled quickly, the Tervels Fire near Echo Reservoir in Summit County is still active and has burned just under 600 acres according to Utah Fire Info. As of Wednesday morning, it was 25 percent contained. A portion of I-80 eastbound was down to one lane due to firefighting efforts and crews were concerned about weather with the possibility of thunderstorms and wind, along with traffic and nearby housing. 

Mohler said tips from the public will likely provide the best opportunity to apprehend the person or persons responsible for the fires. “If anybody knows or saw anything, we’d sure love it if they came forward,” he said. 

Anyone with any information is urged to call the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation at (307) 777-7181 or Uinta County Fire Warden Eric Quinney at (307) 789-8556.