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The most disturbing aspect of the major wildfires in Utah so far this summer is the fact most of them were caused by humans. Except for a couple of lightning-caused fires, it hasn’t been the work of Mother Nature.
In one, it is said sparks from a backhoe coming into contact with metal tracks ignited the blaze. In another, it was sparks from an ATV being driven off a designated road into some dry grass. Yet another could be traced to an abandoned campfire not properly extinguished.
Then there was the fire allegedly started by two teens horse playing with matches. And, as incredulous as it seems, the Farmington fire, intentionally set, according to authorities, by a homeless man wanting to go to jail.
Astounding!
KSL applauds the exhausting efforts of firefighters to limit the damage done by the fires. One can only imagine how vast the devastation would be without the skilled response of those trained to put out the blazes.
The summer is young and the air is dry. The prospect for more fires is extreme. Therefore, KSL urges every Utahn and visitor to the state to exercise extraordinary caution. If more fires erupt – and they undoubtedly will – let it not be said they were caused by the negligence of humans.
