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BOUNTIFUL — Bountiful City officials recognized first responders, dispatchers and volunteers for their quick actions and response to the Gun Range Fire.
Three homes were lost in the 321-acre blaze, but city officials believe that number could have been much higher and credited the fast response and work of those involved with fighting the fire.
Dispatcher Brenna Dearden was one of the dispatchers who received a standing ovation Tuesday night.
“It’s awesome that they remember us,” she said. “When it gets tough, we’re just one solid unit and that’s what I love about my job.”
Dearden said calls came flooding in on August 29, when the fire started. She was working the graveyard shift and said her team members knew they were in for an unforgettable night.
“I knew it was going to be a long night,” Dearden said. “We were in for a big, long, bad night.”
She and her team remained calm as they called for resources to respond to the fire burning near the Bountiful “B” that night. From her dispatch console, she could see the quick-moving flames out her window.
“It was growing incredibly fast and that was what was scary about it – this thing was spreading before our eyes,” Dearden said. “We needed everything, we just needed everything and anything that could come.”
Resources came pouring in and first responders immediately got to work. They were able to contain the fire without any major injuries.
Investigators said two people have been identified and are facing charges for starting the Gun Range Fire with their campfire.
