ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) -- More than 200 firefighters dug handlines and burned a fireline along roads in battling the Dammeron Fire 12 miles north of St. George.
The firefighters, aided by bulldozers and aircraft, worked on securing firelines on the west and south sides of the fire and had the 5,000 acre blaze about 20 percent contained by Sunday night.
The fire was burning to the east, away from Washington County communities, but three unoccupied cabins on private land in the Dixie National Forest were threatened, fire officials said.
The blaze was two fires that burned together. One was started by lightning on Friday and the other started Saturday.
The fire burned power poles and caused more than 4,600 Utah Power customers to lose power on Saturday. However, their service was restored by rerouting power.
Company spokesman Jeff Hymas said customers successfully conserved power, making it unnecessary to implement rotating outages until the equipment was repaired and returned to service Sunday evening.
Elsewhere in southwestern Utah, the 25-acre Straight fire three miles southwest of New Harmony was being battled by smokejumpers and a helicopter, the 1,600-acre Frisco fire 10 miles northwest of Milford was 5 percent contained and the 414-acre Smith Mesa fire six miles north of Virgin was 90 percent contained.
In central Utah, the 15,000-acre West Gilson fire was expected to be contained by Monday night.
The fire was being battled by 205 firefighters, who were aided by four helicopters.
