Rocky outcrop, firefighters stop spread of St. George bushfire – St George News

ST. GEORGE- The St. George Fire Department and community members contained a brush fire Thursday evening using a rock outcropping.

Shortly before 7:30 p.m., the department was dispatched to 4140 E. El Capitan Way and arrived on scene in less than 15 minutes. After firefighters arrived, Battalion Chief Tyler Talbot said several residents from one neighborhood also arrived to help.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but Talbot said several juveniles are believed to have run from the scene.

Firefighters approached the flames from different sides to stop their advance, and they slowed naturally once they hit the rocky top of the brush-covered hillside. The fire was extinguished to just under an acre.

When St. George News arrived, Talbot said crews were in the middle of a cleanup operation, which is expected to take about another hour.

“They're just going through, making sure there are no hot spots, smoke or lingering embers that could cause a problem later,” he said. “So these guys just go zone by zone and do a really, really detailed check.”

No injuries were reported. Talbot said he didn't expect there to be any, but was crossing his fingers that there wouldn't be any later due to the rough terrain.

Since the wind was pushing the fire up the hillside and away from nearby homes, no property damage was also reported.

Talbot is reminding southern Utahns to watch out for fires due to increased winds and dry conditions.

“As we head into the Fourth of July season, we want people to be careful of dry vegetation and use fireworks here for the near future,” he added.

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