Human causes of wildfires not always obvious
Jul 1, 2018, 6:18 PM | Updated: Jul 2, 2018, 10:02 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – More than 25 wildfires over the past few days have been caused by people, according to the Utah Wildfire Info website.
“It’s just important for everybody to take a few extra moments to realize what they’re doing,” said Unified Fire Authority spokesperson Eric Holmes. “Anything and everything that we think could cause a fire, let’s just be careful of,”
While some causes, like abandoned campfires, are obvious, people might not consider others.
“Using your lawnmower in a large, dry field. One little spark can cause a fire,” Holmes said. “Some automobiles and off-road vehicles get hot enough underneath that, if they’re touching some dry grasses, they could absolutely start a fire. Any chains dragging, any metal sparking,”
With Independence Day just three days away, firefighters in the Salt Lake Valley are also bracing for the possibility of fires caused by fireworks. Holmes said it was important for everyone to check the fireworks restrictions their local governments may have enacted.
“We’re ready for anything and everything. Last year was extremely busy. Last year, we had crews that were rolling all night long. They didn’t make it home until 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning. That’s what we’re expecting to see,” Holmes said.
