Grass Fire Threatens Homes in Cottonwood Heights

Alex Cabrero ReportingHot temperatures, dry air and winds, it was a recipe for disaster. Flames came dangerously close to a number of homes and a fire quickly blackened a hillside in Cottonwood Heights this afternoon.

"These firefighters are working on the hottest day of the year in fire gear. They are doing a phenomenal job."

Cottonwood Heights residents had a close call this afternoon when fire threatened to take their homes. In the end, one house was damaged and firefighters say they're lucky fire didn't damage more homes.

Fire reached the back porch of John Grahm's home and charred his back deck. But if you look at the grass in the backyard, it's still green. The flames were so hot and intense, they arced up and over, onto the deck.

On the hottest day in the Salt Lake valley so far this year, flames like this only made it hotter.

Witness: "Just jumped on the hill and it just exploded up the hill."

For Todd Hawkins, it was scary. He and several other residents were evacuated from their Cottonwood Heights homes this afternoon when a wildfire came roaring within feet of their houses.

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John Grahm: "Dry grass up the hill, it goes pretty fast."

John Grahm's home was burned by the fire, and it was only the second-worst thing to happen to him today.

John Grahm: "I come home from the hospital, my wife had heart surgery this morning."

So when he came home to see his back deck nearly burned to the ground...

Grahm: "Oh, my house on fire. No big deal (laughs)."

He knows it can be rebuilt. But for the first half hour or so, the flames were threatening to do a lot more damage. In all, about two dozen homes were evacuated and only Grahm's had fire damage.

Fire crews made sure all the hot spots were out because the grass there is dry.

Firefighter: "We've had very little precipitation all spring and summer long."

They put it out in time, but it was close.

John Grahm: "Thanks firefighters, for saving my house."

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