TOQUERVILLE, Washington County — High winds are fueling a wildfire that authorities say burned roughly 350 acres in Washington County several miles north of Toquerville on Monday.

Twenty homes were temporarily evacuated and three outbuildings were destroyed by the Anderson Junction Fire, which state fire officials say was started at about 3:30 p.m. by chains dragging behind a vehicle.

A combination of winds over 30 mph, temperatures in the low 90s and low humidity have impeded efforts to suppress the fire. At 9 p.m. officials estimate it was 30% contained, and crews will continue to fight the blaze overnight and into Tuesday morning.

About 75 firefighters and multiple fire agencies including Utah’s Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands responded to the blaze, which was initially estimated to be 50 acres. However, high winds and dry conditions in the region caused the fire to spread quickly.

The fire also prompted authorities to close both directions of state Route 17 from the state Route 9 junction to just after the frontage road until 8:30 p.m. Monday.

The National Weather Service issued a fire weather watch Friday for parts of Washington County, and extended a red flag warning for much of the southwestern corner of the state from Sunday afternoon until 9 p.m. Tuesday. Wind gusts on Tuesday could reach 40 mph in the Toquerville area.

Crews from the New Harmony, St. George and Washington fire departments, Hurricane Valley Fire District, Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service also responded to the fire. In total, 23 engines, four water tenders, one heavy helicopter and two single engine air tankers were on the scene.

No injuries have been reported.