ST. GEORGE — Firefighters responded to a small brush fire near Lava Flow Drive Sunday afternoon that is believed to have been set by kids in the area. No injuries were reported.
Just after 4 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to a brush fire that was reported to have started in the wash between Lava Flow Drive and Tuweap Drive in St. George.
When firefighters arrived, they found the fire burning at the bottom of a deep ravine. While the fire was contained to a small area at that point, St. George Battalion Chief Ken Guard said, it was spreading to several trees nearby.
Guard said he noticed what appeared to be the remnants of a small abandoned campfire and a fort near the origination of the fire, which led him to believe the fire may have been started by kids in the area.
“It looked like a campsite and fort that kids would set up,” Guard said, “and witnesses reported seeing kids in the area before firefighters arrived.”
There was one primary campfire that appeared to be abandoned, the chief said, and another one set up nearby that looked as though it had continued to burn until the underlying brush caught fire.
It took more than an hour to completely extinguish the blaze and knock down any smoldering embers in the underlying brush.
The fire was contained to a small area and did not spread quickly due to the trees and vegetation that remained green through the summer, Guard said. Otherwise, it could have spread to a much larger area very quickly.
“And if the winds would have picked up with that fire still burning,” he said, “then this fire could have gotten pretty ugly.”
The St. George Fire Department responded with two brush trucks and one engine.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or first responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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Firefighters extinguish a brush fire in the wash between Lava Flow Drive and Tuweap Drive, St. George, Utah, Oct. 2, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Firefighters extinguish a brush fire in the wash between Lava Flow Drive and Tuweap Drive, St. George, Utah, Oct. 2, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Firefighters extinguish a brush fire in the wash between Lava Flow Drive and Tuweap Drive, St. George, Utah, Oct. 2, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Firefighters extinguish a brush fire in the wash between Lava Flow Drive and Tuweap Drive, St. George, Utah, Oct. 2, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
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Oh my gosh ! this could of turned into a devastating situation if not for the quick and professional response from emergency personnel. if indeed this was a fire started by some inexperienced youth then there needs to be a lecture on fire safety.
I am so glad that this fire was put out as quickly as it was. Oh golly gee whiz this could of been an horrific and devastating scenario. .but it wasn’t. .Praise the Lord !
My goodness this could of turned into a devastating situation if not for the quick response from the emergency personnel. thank you for being there and keeping a situation from getting out of control and keeping us safe. God bless each and everyone of you !