July 25, 2000- (Salt Lake City-AP) -- Firefighters managed to get the upper hand on a blaze that charred about 300 acres at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon.

The fire, which officials believe was sparked Saturday by the ricochet of a stray bullet from a Holladay gun club, was estimated to be 50 percent contained, said Kathy Jo Pollock, National Interagency Fire spokeswoman.

About 120 firefighters battled the fire yesterday from the ground and air. Throughout the weekend, air tankers dumped bright red retardant on the 20-foot high flames.

Fire bosses expected to have the blaze contained by tomorrow afternoon.

Kamas

Crews also fought a lightning-sparked fire near Kamas that began last Wednesday and charred 200 acres of brush. The flames burned in heavy timber and presented a challenge to firefighters, who managed to squelch the flames by Sunday night.

Fire officials have not predicted when that blaze would be fully controlled.

The heat that has made fighting the fires so dangerous is expected to last through the week.

Monday's highs reached the low 90s and the temperatures are expected to gradually rise until they again reach the low 100s by Thursday in northern Utah.

Grassy Fire

Meanwhile, firefighters spent Monday trying to save the national Wah Wah Wilderness Study Area near the central Utah-Nevada border.

The Grassy Fire, located in Utah's west desert 20 miles from the border and 60 miles northwest of Milford, has devoured more than 4,000 acres in uninhabited land dotted with pinyon and juniper trees.

Elbow Fire

The Elbow Fire, believed to be human caused, continues to blaze 20 miles southwest of St. George. Officials reported that flames were visible from Mesquite, Nev., and parts of Washington County.

More than 200 firefighters battled the flames Monday, which scorched almost 1,000 acres and sent a thick screen of smoke skyward. Officials say they want to have the fire contained by the end of the month.

Other Fires

Firefighters were also watching another 21 lightning-caused fires on the Arizona Strip near the Utah-Arizona border and five small fires in the Cedar City area.

The National Weather Service reported that dry lightning could continue to give firefighters work in southern Utah. Thunderstorm activity is expected to continue through Tuesday.

(Copyright 2000 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)