Vehicle catches fire on I-15 as snow worsens road conditions
UPDATE (4:57 p.m. Wednesday) — The Utah Highway Patrol reported responding to 131 crashes so far Wednesday on state roads.
Key problematic areas for drivers and first responders included:
- Interstate 80 (summit side), where troopers were responding to a crash and where a public information officer reported it was snowing "pretty heavily."
- Northern Utah, where chains or four-wheel-drive were required to enter Sardine Canyon on Highway 89.
UHP told 2News Wednesday night's snow storm was a "relatively calm" one, and that fewer people were out driving because of the holiday.
Nonetheless, the agency wanted to remind drivers to reduce their speed and increase following distance amid winter driving conditions. One of the biggest problems troopers see is people driving too fast for conditions during snowfall. Utahns were also reminded to wear seatbelts at all times, especially during storms.
(KUTV) — A vehicle caught fire on Interstate 15 near Payson just as snow began to fall along the Wasatch Front's interstate corridor on Wednesday afternoon.
Payson Fire & Rescue shared a photo of the vehicle, but did not provide more information about the cause. Views from a Utah Department of Transportation camera in the area showed traffic moving past relatively unimpeded by the scene.
At the same time, reports came across the police scanners of Utah Highway Patrol troopers expressing concern about road conditions in Salt Lake County.
Views from a UDOT camera stationed at 9600 South in Salt Lake County showed slick conditions as light snow began to blanket the roadway.
A camera at the Point of the Mountain between Lehi and Draper showed the interstate already covered in snow in both directions after what 2News meteorologist Matt Johnson called only "10 minutes of moderate snow."
More police scanner reports indicated officers were dispatched to start slowing traffic in Parley's Canyon after dispatchers received reports of drivers sliding off roads. Scanner traffic indicated they had likely been traveling too fast for the conditions.
GALLERY: Snow blankets Utah on New Year's Day
Road conditions are expected to remain an issue across the Wasatch Front throughout Wednesday evening. UDOT told 2News on Tuesday night that it plans to clear the roads as quickly and efficiently as possible.
You can monitor radar in your area using our radar map here. To watch the full forecast, click here. Submit weather photos to 2News using this link or the ChimeIn feature on the 2News Mobile App.
