Bushfires burn in Ogden, Salt Lake City

OGDEN — A brush fire in the area of ​​I-15 and 21st Street in Ogden has sparked a wide response, with plumes visible on traffic cameras rising high into the Ogden skyline.

KSL sent a reporter to the scene.

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Ogden Fire Department Deputy Chief Shelby Willis said it was a grass fire.

A field fire also broke out in Salt Lake City, near 650 W., 2100 South. Captain Brandt Hancuff of the Salt Lake City Fire Department said no businesses were affected by the fire. There were tractor-trailers nearby, but firefighters were able to protect them.

According to Weber Fire Deputy Chief David Reed, the call came in at 5:49 p.m. from an off-duty Utah Highway Patrol officer.

“The Highway Patrol was the first on scene and was called. In fact, an off-duty Highway Patrolman reported hearing several pops.” Reed said.

Firefighters on scene located “several” propane tanks and fuel cans, according to Reed.

Due to arrival difficulties and a reduced water supply, firefighters had difficulty accessing the area, resulting in a 10-acre fire.

As the fire grew, it encroached on a camp and one person was slightly injured.

“He was treated and advised to be transported, but he refused medical treatment.” Reed said.

Reed said the fire was “human-caused” but did not provide an exact origin. He said the details were currently under investigation.

The encampment that was burned had been cleaned up by the city at least once before, with crews removing “a dump truck full” of belongings, but “within weeks people were living there again,” Reed said.

Moisture in the fuel was cited as one of the reasons this fire spread so far and so quickly. Reed said: “We went from having no restrictions on (June) 4th to having our historic restrictions in place because of the drought and how quickly the fire is spreading.”

This is a breaking story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Larry D. Curtis contributed to this report.