Firefighters prevent potentially 'disastrous' bushfire near Westview Drive in Cedar City from spreading – St George News

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

1 3 minutes read

TOWN OF CEDAR — Firefighters from multiple agencies successfully contained a small brush fire near State Route 56 in Cedar City Tuesday afternoon.

Firefighters work to extinguish hot spots at the scene of a fire near SR-56 and Westview Drive, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News/Cedar City News

The fire, which was first reported shortly before 4:30 p.m., burned approximately 1.5 acres of vacant sagebrush-covered field located a short distance south of State Route 56 and just east of Melling Granite and a few other nearby businesses along Westview Drive. about 250 north.

Cedar City Fire Chief Mike Phillips said at the scene that the fire appears to have started near a railroad siding before moving with the wind in a northeast direction. He said he was glad the flames did not spread over the hill toward the Diamond Z Arena to the southeast.

“It would have been disastrous,” he said.

Phillips said about 32 firefighters responded to the incident, including several engine crews from the Cedar City Fire Department, as well as units and personnel from the Kanarraville Fire Department, U.S. Forest Service- United States and the United States Bureau of Land Management.

Several Utah Highway Patrol troopers and Iron County Sheriff's Office deputies assisted with traffic control on nearby SR-56.

Phillips said at the scene that the fire appeared to be human-caused, but the cause was still undetermined.

“We have an investigator coming here,” Phillips added as crews continued to extinguish still-smoldering hot spots.

This report is based on statements from firefighters and may not contain the complete findings.

Photo gallery

Firefighters work to light a fire hydrant near the scene of a fire near SR-56 and Westview Drive, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News/Cedar City News

Firefighters work to extinguish hot spots at the scene of a fire near SR-56 and Westview Drive, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News/Cedar City News

Firefighters work to light a fire hydrant near the scene of a fire near SR-56 and Westview Drive, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News/Cedar City News

A BLM tanker truck leaves the scene of a fire near SR-56 and Westview Drive, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News/Cedar City News

Jeff Richards, a Salt Lake City native with family roots in Panguitch, lived in Moab for 20 years before joining St. George News in 2017. Jeff is a longtime journalist and high school teacher. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. They also have three young grandsons. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading and taking photos.