12 structures burned, others threatened in Rockport wildfire

ROCKPORT, Summit County — Twelve homes, many of them primary residences, were destroyed by a fast moving wildfire Tuesday near Rockport State Park that prompted evacuations of more than 300 homes.

While Gov. Gary Herbert said he and the firefighters feel horrible for those who lost property, he noted that no lives were lost, no one was injured, and the situation could have been much worse.

"We can confirm now there are 12 residences that have been burned, another approximately 15 other structures, outbuildings, some vehicles, and a couple of boats," Herbert said. "It's been a fast moving fire, but I want to emphasize how fast the response has been."

At one point on Tuesday, the flames were moving 50 to 80 feet per minute, said Steve Rutter, fire management officer of Utah's northeastern area. Despite Tuesday's successes, he said firefighters still have their work cut out for them Wednesday.

"We still have a large threat to a number of homes we can't ignore," he said late Tuesday. "There are 250 homes that are still actively, imminently threatened. … It's not over tonight, it's not going to be over tomorrow."

Because of that, Rutter said firefighters would be "running 24-7 until we have 100 percent containment and we've completed our mop up."

By Tuesday night, firefighters estimated that 4,000 acres had burned from the lightning-caused blaze dubbed the Rockport 5 Fire. The fire was about 5 percent contained.

"We have homes that are completely surrounded by black — vegetation completely gone, but we were able to preserve the homes. It looks really ugly now. There's a big black spot. But there are a lot of people who will be able to go home when we open it back up," he said.

The evacuation order was expected to remain in place until at least Wednesday afternoon, at which time officials said they will reassess the situation. Summit County Sheriff Dave Edmunds said that while he couldn't force any adults out of their homes, his deputies are requiring any families with children to leave.

About 175 firefighters from several local jurisdictions, including as far away as Herriman, joined forces to battle the dangerous wildfire, in addition to three helicopters, three air tankers and two fire retardant drops from a DC-10. Herbert said the number of firefighters on the ground would be increased to 250 by Wednesday morning and he authorized the use of the Utah National Guard's Blackhawk helicopters if needed.

"We've been painting the mountain as red as we can to try and keep the fire from getting into more homes and trying to protect those homes and property we have up there," said Utah State Forester Dick Buhler.

All of the homes destroyed were in the Rockport Estates area. By Tuesday night, the fire had pushed west and was cutting through the Promontory community.

Evacuation orders continued for Promontory Tuesday evening. Homes with small children were given a mandatory evacuation. In addition to evacuations at Rockport Estates, Sunrise Loop in the Park City community of Promontory and the Bridge Hollow subdivision in Wanship were also evacuated as a precaution.

Sonia Hellander said her friend's house, a primary residence, was one of the big homes that was lost.

"I think that was the big explosion everybody heard was his house," she said.

When the wildfire started, a neighbor helped a boy about 13 or 14 years old and his dog get out of that house to safety.

"The little boy was the only one home, with the dog. But we got the boy and the dog out safe," she said.

But Jon Hellander, Sonia's husband, also tried to get to the teen by riding an ATV to his house. The four-wheeler, however, ran out of gas near the residence. Hellander not only walked three miles himself to safety over the rolling hillside, but he grabbed two horses that were still in their stables on another nearby property and walked them out as well.

"Wherever he got the horses from, I don't know. And then he walked, he had quite a hike up and around and down to our house," his wife said.

Collette Murdock was just thankful Tuesday that her grandchildren and other family members got out before the blaze got too close.

"I can't complain. It is what it is. I'm grateful that all of my children are safe. And if we lose the cabin, we lose it. And if we don't, it will be a blessing," she said.

But just moments after saying that, she was able to talk to someone who was still in the evacuated area of the Rockport Estates community and could tell her which cabins were still standing.

"It's a pitched roof," she told the man on the phone, describing her summer cabin. "I'm good? Oh, thank you, I'm good! Thank you, thank you so much. They saved my … Thank you. I appreciate it."

For Murdock, the news was good Tuesday. But other homeowners weren't as lucky when the quick moving wildfire — likely started by lightning — engulfed cabins and houses.

"I think what made it blow up was that thunderstorm that came over," Eriksson said. "It just ran straight up the hill, got a little wind behind it."

Rockport Estates sits in the rolling hills above Rockport Reservoir. About 125 homes in Rockport Estates and 200 from the adjacent community of Promontory were evacuated because of the wildfire, which began about 1 p.m.

The fire had burned approximately 400 acres as of late Tuesday afternoon. Firefighters from the South Summit, North Summit and Park City fire districts were battling the blaze, as well as a DC10 tanker plane that was called in for support to drop fire retardant.

"It didn't stop the fire, but it knocked it down enough that it allowed firefighters to get in there and work at least that portion of the fire," Eriksson said. "It was very effective in helping some of the homes up there in Promontory."

Four additional hand crews were summoned to help and were expected to arrive Wednesday. Federal assistance was requested Tuesday and the Federal Emergency Management Agency agreed to help fund the firefighting efforts. The wildfire was about 5 percent contained.

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A helicopter with a bucket was also making water drops on the fire as well as smaller aircraft dropping fire retardant.

Murdock said her grandchildren and three friends were at the reservoir when they saw a lightning strike spark the fire.

"Lighting hit and it immediately started up the mountainside," she said. "It was a blessing they were down out of the area when that happened."

Paul Ewald, of South Jordan, said he was fishing at the reservoir when he saw dark clouds rolling in and decided to head to his car. Just as he got to his vehicle, he saw lightning strike the hillside about a half mile north of where he was standing.

"I drove down there in a couple of minutes and talked to two guys that were in the parking lot there and they both confirmed that lightning hit a telephone pole right opposite the dam, about 15 or 20 yards off the road," Ewald said. "It started very rapidly."

He said although it had been a calm day, the winds picked up and fueled the fire's growth. He drove to a nearby gas station and confirmed that fire crews had been notified before leaving the area.

"I texted my wife and said, 'I'm getting out of the area right now, there's a big fire underway,'" Ewald recalled. "She confirmed, 'Please, yes, get out of there,' and as I did and drove along the road, the flames were so close I had to roll up my windows. It was that hot. … It was pretty scary, I have to admit."

Murdock believes a rock driveway and rock embankment that circles the perimeter of her house helped save it.

One of the cabins that burned was a summer home located about a block away from Murdock and two blocks away from Lynn Bennett. He said his cabin was safe along with Murdock's.

"It burned around both of ours and got the one right below," he said. "I heard there was about five or six (structures burned). Propane tanks just blowing up as they burned. It's pretty bad up there."

Eriksson could only confirm that some of the other homes were "in imminent danger."

Tori Barnhart was able to get up to her residence just long enough to grab laptops and her dog, Pinner.

"They came up and said you gotta go now," she said. "We were all pretty much lucky to get in and get what's precious to us."

A Red Cross evacuation shelter was set up at North Summit Middle School in Coalville. The majority of residents, however, parked their vehicles off the side of state Route 32 and watched firefighting planes drop retardant, waiting for word of when the road closures and evacuation orders would be lifted.

Food, water and other resources were available at the shelter. Red Cross officials said the school could be converted into an overnight shelter if needed and they planned to stay to provide help as long as they are needed.

The area where the fire was burning is mainly rolling hills with oak and sage brush and some pockets of aspen trees. The fire burned near state Route 32 in Rockport, south of Wanship, which led to the closure of the road at Rockport Dam.

Rockport Estates is located on the west side of Rockport Reservoir, also south of Wanship. Some residents live there year-round, but most are there for the summer.

Contributing: Alex Cabrero, Andrew Wittenberg, Faith Heaton Jolley

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