Hevige wildbranden teisteren Regio Salt Lake city

SALT LAKE CITY - A scorching heat wave coupled with tinder-dry conditions sent wildfires running amok throughout the West on Saturday, forcing authorities to evacuate homes and close highways and wilderness areas.

A 160,000-acre wildfire in Utah jumped a freeway Saturday, forcing the closure of Interstate 15 for a 100-mile stretch through central Utah, fire officials said. The fire, about 12 miles south of Salt Lake City, also forced the evacuations of Cove Fort and the Blundell Geo Thermal Power Plant, where it was threatening railroad lines, bridges and several homes, Color County Fire Information Officer LaCee Bartholomew said.

Interstate 70 was also closed in Richfield, Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Steve Winward said.