Two fires spark during record hot September

OGDEN, Utah — The record-breaking September heat is posing some challenges for fire crews in Ogden. The Valley Fire, originally named the Rainbow Fire, forced more evacuations overnight.

The winds kicked up, forcing the evacuation of 10 more homes around midnight. This was in addition to 10-12 homes that were evacuated hours earlier.

#ValleyFire resources worked through the night. Fire activity increased around midnight and about 10 houses were evacuated but no structures were lost. The down canyon winds and warm temperatures caused challenges. Currently, resources continue to work the lines. #FFSLKW pic.twitter.com/q4TVex0z1z

— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) September 7, 2022

All evacuations were lifted at approximately 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Evacuations have been lifted on the valley fire. The fire is 40% contained and still at 9 acres. Thank you to all the donations and concern from the community and local business

— Ogden Fire Dept (@OgdenFireDept) September 7, 2022

Crews worked Tuesday night through Wednesday morning protecting homes near Rainbow Gardens from a fast-moving fire.

“We had 20 to 30 mph wind gusts,” said Deputy Fire Chief Mike Slater with the Ogden Fire Department.

“Some of those homes didn’t have defensible space, so we had three structures in that one cul-de-sac. The fire pushed through some of that heavy tinder we actually had to put our ladder in the air to spray over the homes,” Slater added.

Fortunately, no homes were lost.

The fire has burned about nine acres and is 40% contained.

And that wasn’t the only fire.

In Parleys Canyon, firefighters were able to quickly contain a car fire that sparked a brush fire to under an acre.

It happened near Lambs Canyon along Interstate 80.

Parleys Canyon traffic halted because of grass, vehicle fire

“We have seen an uptick in fire starts this past week,” said Kayli Yadley with Utah Fire Info.

Fire managers say the majority of the state saw 57 new wildfires.

So far, since Sept. 5, 2021, there have been 851 wildfire starts — 406 of them human-caused and over 25,000 acres burned.

“We’re not out of this yet,” Slater said. “We still have some warm temperatures. Even though the days are getting shorter with more dew on the grass at night, we still need your help to keep our land safe.”

We all need to do our part. Fire managers say if you live in a wildland area, clear the brush out from around your home and create a defensible space. That can really help firefighters save lives and property.