A vehicle fire along U.S. 40, east of Silver Creek, burned almost an acre of brush along the highway Thursday afternoon before firefighters were able to contain it.
Summit County Dispatch first received a call at 10:35 a.m. reporting a small pickup truck that appeared to be smoking and on fire. The truck continued traveling westbound on U.S. 40 for a few minutes before pulling over at mile marker three, according to Summit County Fire Warden Bryce Boyer.
“The cause of the vehicle fire is still under investigation,” said Park City Fire District battalion Chief Ray Huntzinger. “When crews arrived, the car was fully engulfed in flames and the brush between the highway and frontage road had started on fire.”
Due to strong winds, the brush fire spread rapidly said Huntzinger. Three Park City Fire engines, the Summit County Fire Warden and a brush fire truck from Wasatch County responded to the fire, which was contained by 12:30 p.m.
According to Huntzinger, the driver of the vehicle suffered from minor burns and a few law enforcement officers were evaluated on scene for possible injuries after a round of ammunition exploded in the burning vehicle.
Huntzinger said the ammunition in the car was legal.
Old Highway 40, the frontage road east of U.S. 40, was closed for about two hours while the fire was contained. U.S. 40 westbound was down to one lane until the late afternoon.
Recent above normal temperatures and high winds have created the perfect conditions for wildfires, prompting extra caution from the fire district, according to Huntzinger.