Parley's Canyon Fire. Photo: Michele Roepke

PARK CITY, Utah. — With Summit County fire authorities reporting zero percent containment, thousands of Park City residents remained out of their homes Saturday night and were told to expect perhaps the same situation for Sunday night. A catalytic converter from a vehicle traveling east on I-80 was to blame for starting the wildfire which has burned approximately 1500 acres and no structures forcing evacuations for the neighborhoods of Summit Park, Timberline, Pinebrook, Lambs Canyon, and Mill Creek Canyon.

One of multiple crews hiking up the rough terrain to fight the Parley's Canyon fire on Saturday. — One of the multiple crews totalling 120 personnel hiking up the rough terrain to fight the Parley’s Canyon fire on Saturday. Photo: Michele Roepke

Teachers from the Park City School District are supposed to show up for their first day of work at the Park City High School on Monday, however, on Saturday, the Red Cross was utilizing the School as the local shelter welcoming anyone in need. Food and water had been donated and information was being offered for the 30 or so people who had chosen to check in there around 10:00 last night. They will remain open throughout the day, if not longer. The first day of school is Thursday.

Restoring faith in social media’s origins, citizens, businesses, and nonprofits took to the medium to offer quest rooms, hotel rooms, pet spaces, and RV parking spots throughout the county.

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A majority of the evacuees went to stay the night with friends or family. Many posted on social media once they were relatively settled to let a concerned community know they were safe and sound and sheltered but somewhat shook up.

First responders also benefited from Parkites communicating that they, at their temporary command center at the Park City Ice Arena, were receiving donations of snacks and drinks from a thoughtful and grateful public according to Bari Nan Rothchild. As of 10:00 pm, they had a surplus and had then ceased taking any further supplies.

Luna Lobos and Fetch were among dog-centered facilities letting the people of Park City know that they’re available to help shelter pets if necessary.

The Summit County Sheriff Department posted the following statement on Facebook on Saturday, “To the residents who are refusing to evacuate for the Parley’s Canyon Fire – you are hampering efforts and are putting first responders in danger. PLEASE evacuate immediately!”

I-80 was reduced to two lanes eastbound between Lambs Canyon and just before Summit Park from 2:00 pm on causing two-hour long traffic backups until the sun went down on Saturday. Plumes of smoke were visible throughout Salt Lake County.

Park City Municipal, via social media, thanked the three resort bases for canceling their long-planned entertainment at the last minute on Saturday night in a concerted effort to minimize traffic activity through the county allowing for more efficiency for emergency management and for the safety of all stakeholders.

Businesses at Pinebrook will be allowed to open to provide services to community members on Sunday.

The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) on Saturday Authorized funds to fight the Parley’s Canyon Fire. Monies will be dedicated to the assistance of the firefighting efforts of a multitude of local, state, regional, and national entities, not intended for personal property owners displaced by the fire.

“As this devastating fire spreads rapidly through Parley’s Canyon, I encourage Utahns to stay safe and avoid the area to allow fire personnel access. Praying for the safety of these first responders and for the residents in the area as they evacuate,” Senator Mitt Romney wrote on Twitter on Saturday.