Smoke from nearly 18,000-acre Coal Hollow Fire causing problems in Spanish Fork

The Coal Hollow Fire in southeastern Utah County isn’t showing signs of slowing, burning through more than 3,000 acres from Thursday night to Friday afternoon.

The fire — which on Thursday caused the closure of State Route 6 and spun up a so called fire tornado — is estimated at 18,000 acres as of Friday afternoon, according to a news release from state fire officials.

The Coal Hollow Fire was burning about 15 miles southeast of Spanish Fork. Fire crews have been unable to contain the blaze, but they are making progress with holding fire lines on its northwest side. Firefighters haven’t gained as much ground on the eastern and northern edges, because of difficult terrain and abundant dry…