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Gene Kennedy Reporting It was a long night for some Utah County residents. A grass fire in Saratoga Springs forced them from their homes.
Shifting winds created problems for fire crews all night. Rain was a welcome sight and definitely helped control the fire overnight.
The calls started coming in at 9:30 last night. Residents noticed a grass fire flaring up near the Lake Mountain Estates subdivision. That's on the south side of Saratoga Springs.
Nate Coddle lives there. "They said the wind shifted and if it does, if it jumps, then we're going to be in trouble," he said.
Another resident, Alfanso Pisani, said, "Actually my neighbor came before and said, 'Hey guys, you need to be careful. Be prepared.' So we already had something in the car. But it's tough to lose and just drive away forever."
At one point officials were worried the fire could reach an explosives plant nearby. As the wind fanned the flames, deputies decided to evacuate about 100 residents. Many of them went to a nearby LDS church. Luckily, the wind shifted and began to blow the flames in the opposite direction.
As firefighters got this under control, residents were allowed to go home around midnight.
This morning there are a few spots still burning, but crews have the fire mostly under control.
Crews aren't sure what caused this, but we'll be looking into that this morning.
