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CEDAR HILLS — Firefighters were able to quickly get the upper hand on a small wildfire that started Friday afternoon in the mountains above Cedar Hills. Although the damage was minimal, the fear of more to come remains great.
The fire started around 4 p.m. when a spark from a target shooter's gun landed in some dry grass. Fire investigators said the individual attempted to put it down himself, but a little bit if a breeze got things going.
When the little bit if water the man had didn't work, he called for help.
"Individuals who start fires and call (911), it helps," said Lt. Mike Brower, of the Utah County Sheriff's Office.
The fire was on the east side of Canyon Road near a group of townhomes, but was never close enough that any evacuations have been ordered.
"We've got the fire station right across the street from it, so they were able to get there quick," said Reid Shelly, of the U.S. Forest Service.
Fire officials from Lehi, Lone Peak, Pleasant Grove, American Fork and Utah County responded. By 6 p.m., they had the fire 85 percent contained and were expecting full containment by 11 p.m.
Shelley said firefighters will monitor the hillside all night and be back Saturday morning to mop up.
In all, the fire burned about 10 acres of land. Fire crews said it was lucky this one ended like it did, but they fear it won't be the last if its kind this year.
"People are careless. Smokey (the Bear) has been telling us that for 70 years," Brower said. "It's just a matter of getting people to pay attention and use their senses."
