Evacuations Lifted As Connecticut Fire Burns Near U Of U

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Crews responded to the Connecticut Fire, which burned an estimated 10 acres in the foothills north of the University of Utah.

State fire officials said two homes were evacuated and flames were threatening structures.

However, the mandatory evacuation orders were lifted around 8:30 p.m. as crews were able to mitigate the immediate threat to homes in the area. Twelve homes remained under pre-evacuation notices as a precaution.

The cause for the fire is under investigation and officials with the Salt Lake City Fire Department said airdrops are in progress.

Large grass fire above Popperton Park. 3rd alarm Press staging area Popperton Park. Air drops in progress. pic.twitter.com/sUuy5yCn3o

— Salt Lake City Fire Department (@slcfire) September 15, 2020

Crews said some homes were only 100 yards away from the action, and yet they may not have been the ones at the greatest risk.

Sharon Johnson couldn’t believe the lengths others were going for a view and firefighters downright condemned it.

“There’s people all the way up on the hill where it’s actually burning,” Johnson said. “You see the tippy-top of the mountain –there’s people right there.”

As crews worked well beyond the golden hour to determine the cause, they urged all spectators to stay away from the danger.

“If I was to look in the dictionary under the definition of ‘stupid,’ it would be hiking above a fire,” said Salt Lake City Fire Department spokesman Ryan Mellor. “There are people up there that we have no control over. That makes it even that much more dangerous.”