Lanes reopened after grass fire closes US 89


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WEBER COUNTY — A grass fire broke out near I-84 and U.S. 89 Wednesday morning and partially closed northbound U.S. 89 for several hours.

The fire caused the closure of all the northbound lanes around 11:45 a.m. on U.S. 89 near Combe Road, according to Utah Department of Transportation officials. All the lanes were reopened by 3:30 p.m. when the fire was contained.

Uintah City Fire officials responded to the grass fire burning near 6600 South and U.S. 89 and had it under control around 3 p.m.

Dustin Black was sitting at home when someone rang his doorbell. No one was at the door, but Black's dog was going crazy.

"I threw open the garage door and I saw the flames and the smoke," he said.

The fire had started down the hill from his home and was moving quickly toward him. Black pulled out a garden hose and turned on his sprinklers to try and slow the fire's spread. He knew he was in trouble.

"It was 15 feet down the hill and it got to me in about 15 seconds," Black said.

The fire came close enough to burn Black's garden and was scorching the tops of scrub oak about 30 feet away from his deck.

That’s when firefighters arrived. Black watched as they worked to douse the flames.

The fire forced the closure of U.S. Highway 89 for a few hours. Fire crews remained at the site putting out hot spots and cutting down trees.

Weber County Fire Marshal Brandon Thueson didn’t know how the fired started, but said it’s too early to think that fire season is over.

“We (just) had rain and we think things are winding down, but today shows there is still a danger for grass fires in the state.”

Black says he is in awe at how fast a fire can spread. He was just as amazed at how fast his local firefighters worked.

“I can’t thank them enough, I really appreciate it,” said Black.

Contributing: Faith Jolley

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