Sparks start Enoch fire, flames threaten two structures

An Enoch police vehicle, Enoch City, Utah, July 10, 2017 | File photo courtesy of Enoch City, St. George News / Cedar City News

ENOCH CITY – A fire that started with a spark from a saw kept fire crews busy for several hours Monday.

Firefighters spend some time educating the kids in Enoch after containing a fire started earlier by sparks from a saw. It burned 11.7 acres Monday night before crews were able to contain it, Enoch City, Utah, July 10, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Enoch City, St. George News / Cedar City News

The Cedar City Fire Department responded around 3 p.m. to a fire on north Enoch Road and was later joined by fire crews from the Bureau of Land Management and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.

The fire that took in 11.7 acres was allegedly started when sparks flew from a saw used by a construction worker cutting rebar.

“The sparks hit that brush and that was it,” Enoch City Manager Rob Dotson said. “It’s just so dry right now, the flames started spreading immediately.”

Gusts of wind blew the flames north threatening two structures; the home under construction where the worker was at when the fire broke out and another home across the street.

There were fire trucks stationed near the home just in case the fire started moving closer in that direction,” Dotson said.

City officials were particularly concerned last week about whether there would be enough water to fight a fire in Enoch if one were to break out.

“It was concerning because we didn’t know if we would have enough,” Dotson said. “But fortunately, the tanks are full after one weekend of restrictions and we had enough to fight this fire. Now if we can just keep them full.”

Officials remain concerned that the tanks may drain too low again tomorrow if residents all turn on their outdoor water in a panic from not being able to water their yards over the last 40 hours.

Read More: Enoch City Council passes water restriction ordinance

No injuries were reported in the Enoch fire. It is unknown whether police issued a citation.

Besides the 70,000-acre Brian Head fire burning on the mountain since June 17, the Enoch incident is only one of many fires that crews have responded to in recent weeks, Cedar City Fire Chief Mike Phillips said.

Phillips reiterated the same warning as he has numerous times during the last month.

Most fires can be prevented if people would just be more careful,” the fire chief said. “We need the public’s help to keep these fires down because the conditions are extremely dry and fires can start so easy right now. If the public will just follow some basic rules and suggestions it would really help.”

Phillips said the largest issue has been fireworks with fire crews responding to 12 fires on the 4th of July alone.

“And we still have the 24th of July, Pioneer Day, coming up,” Phillips said.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @tracie_sullivan

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2017, all rights reserved.

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1 Comment

  • UtahPatriot July 12, 2017 at 7:47 am

    How about this for an idea: QUIT SELLING FIREWORKS ALL OVER TOWN!!

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