Weather Provides Relief For Fire Crews On ‘Alaska Fire’
Jul 31, 2019, 10:35 PM
UTAH COUNTY, Utah – The weather provided some much needed relief for fire crews fighting to gain control of the “human-caused” Alaska fire on Wednesday.
It didn’t seem like much, but for neighbors like Casey Reynolds, the rain drops in Utah County were much more than a break from the summer heat.
“When was the last time we had a rainstorm on July 31,” Reynolds said. “I guess everybody’s prayers have been answered today.”
The cloudy, wet hillside near Reynolds’ home on Alaska Avenue was a stark contrast from the scene in the same area late Tuesday night.
“I saw the mountain started to glow out there,” Reynolds said. “There were some big flames here…Definitely a little concerned with all of our houses.”
Fire authorities say the fire sparked up just before 11 p.m. and has since burned more than 400 acres near the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.
That trail is temporarily closed between Slate Canyon to the north and Little Rock Canyon to the south.
Firefighters worked through the night and into Wednesday until the rain came down and the risk of lightning and slick terrain went up.
“This rain is going to help but it’s not days on end substantial. So it might slow things down a little bit but it’s supposed to get hotter and drier again,” said Kim Osborn who is with the U.S. Forest Service.
Until then, Reynolds is happy to see the rain make a surprise visit on the last day of July to assist firefighters in their efforts to protect homes and get the Alaska Fire under control.
“Definitely a blessing in disguise…I think we’ll get a better night’s sleep tonight.”
Officials say the fire is human caused but have not provided any details beyond that. They expect to work on the fire for the next several days.
