WILDFIRES

Evacuations Ordered After Wildfire Breaks Out On Traverse Mountain In Lehi

Jun 28, 2020, 1:02 AM | Updated: 3:51 am

(Lehi Community Emergency Response Team)...

(Lehi Community Emergency Response Team)

(Lehi Community Emergency Response Team)

LEHI, Utah – At least 30 homes have been ordered to evacuate after a quick-moving fire ignited on the south side of Traverse Mountain in Utah County.

Multiple agencies have responded to the blaze that broke out around 11:30 p.m. Saturday in the Lehi and Alpine areas. Strong winds in the area have been pushing flames from the north.

Officials said there were two fires on the mountain. One was closer to the Outlets at Traverse Mountain that was put out. The second flared up after strong winds moved through the Wasatch Front before midnight.

The fire was estimated around 150 to 200 acres around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. By 3 a.m. it had burned several hundred acres.

Officials with the state fire command said the fire was started by fireworks, and there was a suspect who was cooperating with law enforcement.

Chief Jeremy Craft from the Lehi Fire Department was unable to confirm the cause of the fire.

LIVE: Brush fire burning on Traverse Mountain in Lehi. Evacuations are in place for nearby residents. Ladd Egan KSL is live at the scene.

Posted by KSL 5 TV on Saturday, 27 June 2020

Officials said structures were threatened by the flames.

The Lehi Community Response Team said homes in a one-quarter-mile radius from Vialetto Way to Annuvolato Way should evacuate.

Residents on Autumn Hills Boulevard and Spring View Lane have also been asked to evacuate.

Officers from the Lehi Police Department were seen going door to door at an apartment building in the area, letting them know to evacuate.

Officials from the Lehi Fire Department talk about Traverse Fire in Utah County.

Posted by KSL 5 TV on Sunday, 28 June 2020

The Utah Division of Emergency Management has reminded residents who need to evacuate to close their windows, shut off the HVAC system, take pets and follow all instructions from emergency personnel.

Officials said structure protection systems were in place between the homes and flames.

The gym at Skyridge High School has been opened for evacuees who need a place to go. The school is located at 3000 North Center Street in Lehi.

Crews from the Red Cross were at the high school to offer assistance.

Anyone with concerns about whether or not they should evacuate have been advised to do so rather than calling 911 emergency dispatchers for information.

The blaze has been named the Traverse Fire.

A staging area was initially set up at Belmont Elementary School, just north of Timpanogos Highway, and was moved to the Lehi City offices,

Several vehicles were stopped on the highway to watch the fire. Officers from the Lehi Police Department has asked people to avoid stopping on the busy roadway, and find parking lots instead.

Just before 3 a.m., Draper city officials issued a “prepare to evacuate notice” for the SunCrest area on the Salt Lake County side of Traverse Mountain, including the Maple Hollow, Brookside, Deer Ridge neighborhoods.

By 3:19 a.m., an evacuation order was issued for the Maple Hollow neighborhood. Draper Park Middle School was opened for anyone needing a place to go.

Rocky Mountain Power reported a power outage in Bluffdale, Draper, Kearns and Midvale, impacting around 7,500 customers. They said there were many lines down due to the windstorm that went through the area.

Officials said crews were out looking for downed lines, and did not expect to have power restored until around 5:30 a.m. Sunday.

Witnesses reported seeing some explosions along the fire line, where officials said some power lines were impacted by the fire.

KSL 5 TV Live

Wildfires

Utah’s Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands is hosting wildland firefighting training exer...

Alex Cabrero

Wildland firefighters prepare, train for upcoming wildfire season

The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands is hosting wildland firefighting training exercises across the state.

7 days ago

The Bald Mountain Wildfire burns in the Grande Prairie Forest Area on May 12. (Government of Albert...

Ramishah Maruf

State Farm stops home insurance sales in California, citing wildfire risks

State Farm is stopping new home insurance sales in California, citing wildfire risks and skyrocketing construction costs, the company announced Friday.

12 days ago

'Flatline fire'...

Tamara Vaifanua

What is ‘light flashing fuel’ and why it concerns firefighters this summer

Utah’s record-setting snowfall this past winter is not enough to take away the concerns for the upcoming fire season, according to one firefighter.

16 days ago

The Salt Lake Valley covered in smoky air. (KSLTV)...

Jed Boal

Smoky air wafts into Utah from Canadian wildfires

Utah got a hefty dose of smoky air in the moderately unhealthy range from wildfires burning in Canada, but luckily it shouldn't be here much longer.

20 days ago

Motorists wait for a red light on westbound 18th Avenue at Park Avenue as smoke shrouds the skyline...

Associated Press

Smoke from Canada wildfires prompts air quality alerts in Colorado, Montana

Officials in Colorado and Montana have issued air quality alerts due to smoke from dozens of wildfires in Canada that has drifted south into the United States.

20 days ago

Damaged vehicles sit near the property of Adam Norris, in Drayton Valley, Alberta, Canada, on Monda...

Derek Van Dam

Wildfires in Alberta off to an exponentially fast start compared to recent years

Devastating wildfires in Alberta have burned more than 150 times more area than in the last five years combined at this same point in the year.

20 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Portrait of happy boy playing and splashing water in the swimming pool...

Get Out Pass

Family Fun Activities in Utah You Have to Try This Summer

These family fun activities will entertain you all summer, so if you ever feel stuck in a rut wondering what to do, refer to this guide!

Woman IT specialist in elegant suit working on notebook computer in data center next to server rack...

Les Olson

Your Complete Guide to Outsourcing IT Services

This guide covers everything you need to know about the different benefits of outsourcing IT services to meet your small business needs.

diverse group of friends dance outside under string lights...

Lighting Design

5 Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Lighting

Read for the most frequently asked questions about outdoor lighting to help narrow the search for your home.

Stack of old laptops with dark background...

PC Laptops

Old Laptop Upgrades You Need to Try Before Throwing it Away

Get the most out of your investment. Try these old laptop upgrades before throwing it out to keep it running fast and efficient.

Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...

BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.

Close up of an offset printing machine during production...

Les Olson IT

Top 7 Reasons to Add a Production Printer to Your Business

Learn about the different digital production printers and how they can help your company save time and money.

Evacuations Ordered After Wildfire Breaks Out On Traverse Mountain In Lehi