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Richard Piatt Reporting A fast spreading fire fanned out and forced people on Layton's east bench to flee their homes. As firefighters scrambled on the ground, they got major help from above as rain came to the rescue.
One mistake caused all that scrambling and the person who reported the fire was the one who started it. That woman may face criminal charges; she was talking with police all day.
Jim and Bev Murray are able to go back home. Becky Magness walks her dog as usual. These are people once evacuated by wildfire, now relieved and back to their normal routines.
Jim Murray: "I thought we were in for it."
Bev Murray: "I said goodbye when I saw the flames."
Becky Magness: "It was quite a bit of concern because it was so close to so many homes up here."
The wildfire was a big threat, with intense, fast moving flames leaping up to 12 feet in the air, creating a massive column of smoke visible for miles. Air attacks with helicopters and planes were essential. That, along with fire crews on the ground, literally saved a couple homes.
A downpour of rain helped too, a lot.
Doug Bitton, Layton Fire Dept.: "If we were still in that dry pattern without rains, with the winds that we had today, we would probably have seen a lot more activity, possibly cleaning up homes that were destroyed or damaged.
Amid the relief, criminal charges could come for the woman accused of starting the fire. Burning dry brush she thought was a fire hazard for her home, the flames quickly spread out of control. A neighbor saw it happen.
Nancy Hansen: "I went outside and there was a fire just on the very last house at the top of the hill in the backyard, and it started taking over the hill."
At this point firefighters believe there are still a few hot spots. They'll continue to keep an eye on the area.
