Gun Range Fire: 365 Acres Burned, Bountiful Evacuation Orders Remain In Effect
Aug 30, 2019, 3:28 AM | Updated: 10:50 pm
BOUNTIFUL, Utah — Hundreds of residents were evacuated and multiple homes burned Friday morning after a wildfire quickly spread near Bountiful and Centerville.
While some evacuations were lifted as the morning progressed, others will remain in place through Friday night.
Bountiful Police Lieutenant Dave Edwards said evacuations remained for residents living east of 900 East to the edge of the city and north of 900 North to the edge of the city.
“We’re doing that, again, because of the potential for flare-ups, the ongoing hot spots, large number of fire apparatus in the area, and simply public safety,” he said.
Edwards thanked those who were evacuated in the early morning hours, saying things went smoothly thanks to residents’ cooperation.
Officials said the Gun Range Fire was caused by a campfire near the city’s “B” logo on the mountain. It is believed the fire was sparked before 1 a.m., when a Bountiful Police Department officer spotted the fire on the east bench, Edwards said.
“He immediately began summoning all fire resources and began evacuating the homes in that area,” he said.
The fire is named after the place it originated. In this case, the blaze sparked somewhere near the Lions Club Gun Range in Bountiful.
Exclusive: very sad …one of three homes destroyed in #gunrangefire in Bountiful .. fire fighters did an amazing job saving many homes @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/2Nv77VYExU
— Dan Rascon (@TVDanRascon) August 30, 2019
Officials said dry fuels helped the fire spread quickly, and windy conditions pushed the blaze toward residences. Multiple homes were damaged by the fire and three were completely destroyed, Edwards said. Over 360 acres had burned by Friday afternoon and the fire was 10% contained.
Approximately 200 firefighters were on scene battling the blaze and helping evacuate houses, officials said.
Evacuations centers were set up for those forced out of their homes, and dedicated phone lines were established.
By 7 a.m., the fire continued moving up the mountain and the threat to homes diminished.
No injuries have been reported.
A 101-year-old woman was able to escape with the help of her neighbors, who carried an extra key to her house.
