A series of grass fires along the Union Pacific railroad tracks through Kaysville Thursday stretched the resources of the city's fire department, Chief Don Howard said.
Four fires broke out around 12:15 p.m. from Shepard Lane on the city's south side to the north border with Layton, Howard said. They were fanned by hot, dry wind that gusted at times to 35 mph, the chief said.Because of their location and timing, it's possible the fires were sparked by a passing northbound train, Howard said, but he doesn't have a confirmed cause. Train traffic along the tracks is heavy, Howard said, sometimes over 50 per day.
Howard estimates the total amount of acreage burned in the four fires at between six and seven acres. The fires were confined to grass and brush alongside the tracks, he said, and no property was damaged.
Kaysville called on neighboring Layton and Farmington departments for mutual aid, with Farmington firefighters taking on the Shepard Lane blaze and Layton crews responding to the fire on their border.
Howard said the city's volunteer department was on the scene for nearly two hours, mopping up hot spots.