TOQUERVILLE, Utah-

5:08 pm

High winds in Washington County, featuring gusts up to 40 miles per hour per The Weather Channel Monday evening, have caused the blaze to spread to 500 acres. Gusts are expected to stay around 40 mph through Tuesday.

4:37 pm

Monday, with Utah under a Red Flag fire warning throughout the day because of strong gusts throughout the state, a fire started near Toquerville. This has since been named the Anderson Junction Fire.

This fire has currently closed S.R. 17 in both directions.

As of 4:30 pm, the road was closed from the S.R. 9 junction to just after Frontage Road per UDOT.

Drivers have been asked to use alternate routes as lanes were expected to remain closed for the next few hours.