Firefighters say a new wildfire on Ensign Peak is forcing evacuations and threatening homes, radio towers and landmarks. Helicopters are bringing water from Memory Grove to help extinguish the flames.

Mandatory evacuations have been ordered on Sandhurst Drive, north of Dorchester Drive, including Twickenham Drive, according to Salt Lake City police. That includes about 40 homes, Salt Lake City Fire Chief Robert Silverthorne said in a briefing posted on the police department’s Facebook page.

The Capitol is now open to evacuees seeking shelter, police said.

“Take only the essential items you have to hand,” an emergency alert advised. “Close and lock windows and doors when you leave.”

Jacqueline Moulding said her parents were visiting her home on Edgecombe Drive and went straight back to their home on Chartwell Court when they heard the evacuation message.

“They run back home to get their checkbooks and passports and then they come back again,” Moulding said, adding that she is also now worried about her home as homes in Dorchester are being evacuated.

Fifty firefighters, two helicopters, a fixed-wing aircraft and additional resources are battling the “large brush fire over the Capitol,” according to Salt Lake City Police Capt. Davin Halvorsen. The fire started around 4:51 p.m. and spread quickly, he said.

Police are going house to house knocking on doors asking people to leave. Evacuation is currently voluntary north of Ensign Vista along East Capitol to North Cove, according to the emergency announcement.

Residents in the voluntary evacuation area have been leaving their homes to watch the smoke billowing over Ensign Peak. Some said they have canceled their evening plans in case they need to leave.

“I just packed a bag and it’s by the front door with my dog, so if I have to go somewhere, I go there,” said resident Stephanie Boyle.

The Salt Lake City Fire Department is asking people to stay away from the area. City Creek Canyon is closed due to the fire, according to the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities.

At 7 p.m., Salt Lake City police posted on X, formerly Twitter, that “multiple air units were on scene and more were en route to pour water on the fire.” Crews from across the state, Salt Lake County, Summit County, Davis County and others joined the effort.

“We operate under one command to protect lives and property,” the department said.

The Sandhurst neighborhood is being evacuated, along with homes east of the fire zone, Utah Fire Info reported on X. It estimated the fire size at more than 10 acres. In addition to the towers, multiple structures and the City Creek watershed are threatened, it reported.

The cause is unknown, according to Utah Fire Info, which first reported the fire around 5 p.m. and later noted that it has been named the Sandhurst Fire.