Washington Terrace fire torches 75 acres, forces home evacuations

WASHINGTON TERRACE, Weber County — A fire in an undeveloped area south of Washington Terrace torched around 75 acres on Monday, skirting close to a residential area, but officials were hopeful they had it under control.

"I don't want to speak too soon, but it appears that the crew has things under control, but with fire you can't say done until you're really done," Washington Terrace City Manager Tom Hanson told reporters. Firefighters will "be around for a while, taking care of hot spots and getting it to where you're at 100% containment."

A Weber County sheriff's deputy who responded to the fire sustained minor injuries while a Washington Terrace resident also sustained an undisclosed injury. One home sustained minor damage — apparently the closest point the fire reached to a residential area — while a trailer at the residence sustained heavy damage.

The cause of the fire, which caused a mandatory evacuation for some residents that was still in effect as of Monday afternoon, was still under investigation. It's been dubbed the Adams Fire and comes in the wake of another Weber County fire last week in Roy that destroyed three homes.

Firefighters will "work to identify a source of origin and then preserve that source of origin so an investigation team can come in and do a thorough investigation of the cause of the fire," said Karl Hunt, spokesman for the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, which was assisting in the probe.

The fire zone sits south of Washington Terrace in an undeveloped area that slopes down to a railroad line, the Weber River and I-84, just north of the Davis County line. A residential area sits immediately north of the impacted zone, and Washington Terrace officials ordered an evacuation of part of that area, along 5500 South, south to the fire line and from Adams Avenue west to 500 West.

"Your safety is our highest priority," the city said in a Facebook post. "Please leave the area as soon as it is safe to do so and follow all directions from emergency personnel."

The Riverdale trail going south was also closed due to firefighting, according to Riverdale city officials. The Senior Center at 4301 S. 300 West, meanwhile, was opened to residents as a temporary shelter, according to the city.

This story may be updated. To be notified about updates, please click Follow This Story below on the KSL app.

Related topics