Fireworks spark brush fire in Draper

DRAPER -- A brush fire that began with improper use of fireworks came dangerously close to some homes in Draper. Unified Fire Authority investigators say someone taped together several legal fireworks to make one large firework and then set it off in a fire-restricted area.

It quickly moved up a steep hill, but firefighters were able to contain it before it got out of hand. The Unified Fire Department says it took hard work from several agencies to put it out. Crews say they got lucky with several factors.

Unified crews say the fire on this hillside could have been much worse had the weather been different.

The fire was reported around 1:15 a.m. when someone spotted it burning at the base of South Mountain near 50 East and 15000 South. Firefighters say flames came within a few hundred feet of condominiums and made residents quite nervous.

"This did have the potential of being a large-scale event," said Capt. Clint Smith with the Unified Fire Authority. "We were fortunate enough this past weekend and last night to have cool temperatures and higher humidity."

Crews say these conditions ultimately helped crews contain the fire to about two acres. But initially wind fanned the flames uphill, causing the fire to spread quickly.

"We divided this fire into three divisions," Smith said. "We have a division on the bottom side of the hill and two on the top side of the hill where the fire was heading to help knock it down from all angles and to contain it to just the hillside and these couple of acres."

Crews from three agencies stretched hose line up the mountain to stop the fire from spreading. They're now using picks and shovels to mop up hot spots.

Legal fireworks are not allowed in that area -- especially not when they're taped together.

"This was a great example of why we have those in place," Smith said about fireworks restrictions.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about this fire to call the Salt Lake Valley Arson Hot Line at 877-572-7766.

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Story compiled with contributions from Shara Park and Nicole Gonzales.

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