Crews in Utah Contain Blaze That Killed 2

Firefighters completed containment lines Wednesday around a 2,970-acre forest fire that killed two people and destroyed 19 homes and cabins, officials said.

Firefighters attacked the blaze early in the morning, finishing the fire lines and digging up and dousing hot spots. They were aided by bulldozers and water-bearing helicopters. Aerial tankers were on standby to drop fire retardant, if needed.

Andy Gray, Bureau of Land Management fire information officer, said that many of the 680 firefighters would begin demobilization.

“We’re not out of the woods yet, but it’s looking pretty good,” he said.

Flames exploded in tinder-dry oak brush and pine trees 30 miles east of Salt Lake City on Sunday and were driven by 60 m.p.h. winds.

The fire is believed to have started from an ember blown over fire lines from a smaller blaze that started from a campfire. It caused millions of dollars’ worth of property damage and killed two Wasatch County employees who were working as firefighters.