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Tonya Papanikolas ReportingThis has been a very, very busy weekend for firefighters; many are still out on fire lines tonight. The latest is in an Olympus Cove neighborhood.
A two-alarm fire started in a condo and then winds soon carried flames to another house. A third house also had an ember blown on it and crews had to attack the fire on the roof. The condo is a loss. The fire is pretty much out now and crews are mopping up hot spots.
A large section of the hillside at Point of the Mountain was blackened this evening. The flames were burning near the spot where para-gliders and hang gliders park. The flames quickly worked their way up the steep hill, and then over the top; about 15 acres burned.
Firefighters from six agencies, along with a helicopter, worked the fire to bring it under control.
No word on the cause, although witnesses said they saw people running away from the area shortly before the flames were noticed.
A party last night led to a fire in Steed Canyon above Farmington. Police say the 18 to 20 year olds were drinking and lighting fireworks. Crews spent all night and most of today fighting the fire.
The mountains above Farmington shone bright orange after a Roman Candle flew across a creek and exploded. The 19-year-old who lit the firework called 911 to report the fire.
Lt. Brad Wilcox, Davis Co. Sheriff's Office: "And said, ‘You know, I made a big mistake and here's what happened.' It was a roman-candle-type device. He says, ‘I knew right away that it was gonna go off wrong.'"
That teen and two others from his party immediately ran across the canyon to try to extinguish the flame, but it was too late.
Lt. Brad Wilcox: "He says, ‘By the time I got there, it was an area of about 40 feet in diameter.'"
It wasn't long before flames were reaching 30 feet high. Residents at the base of the canyon were put on alert.
John Margetts, Parents Live Below Fire: "This is the first house that will probably get burned if it were to jump the road."
John Margetts's parents live 400 yards below the fire. They were prepared with eight two-inch fire hoses. John Margetts: "He's had guys up here spraying down his house and property."
But residents never had to evacuate. Because the fire started above Firebreak road on the mountains, it gave firefighters an upper hand.
Lisa Perez, Wasatch Cache National Forest Spokeswoman: "It's an area where vegetation has been cleared off, where fire crews can access a lot easier the area." Fire crews worked through the night and all day to build a fire line around the blaze.
Scott Harbertson, Farmington Mayor: "I think they had a few spots fires, a few embers that came over the road, but they knocked those down quickly and took care of it."
Today, three 20-person crews fought the blaze from the mountain, while two jets and a helicopter dropped retardant, water and supplies to the area. Crews will return again tomorrow morning to make sure it's all out.
Police say those involved could face charges of illegal possession, and illegal fireworks discharge.
In West Valley, another grass fire--this one started in a field and then spread to a junkyard. The black smoke came from burning tires.
Though only a couple of acres in size, firefighters said attacking this blaze was difficult because of a fence around the junkyard. No word on how it started.
Another fire in the west part of the county was also caused by fireworks. A 14-year-old admitted to firing the bottle rocket that started it.
Seth Peti, Brother: "I was like in my room, and my brother comes in and says, ‘The field's on fire, the fields on fire.' We got the rest of the family, and everybody's panicking."
The fire spread fast and came within 30 feet of some homes. Neighbors used hoses to keep it from their backyards. Crews were able to keep the fire from the homes and get it under control.
"We just wish everybody would quit firing off illegal fireworks save us a lot of trouble fighting these fires."
Legal fireworks are only allowed three days before and after the fourth of July, and they're not allowed in the mountains at all.
The boy who started the fire will be charged in juvenile court.
