DRAPER — Despite a late start, Utah's wildfire season is starting to flare up, as demonstrated by two fires in Draper on Tuesday.
A brush fire in a Draper neighborhood that threatened four homes was quickly brought under control late Tuesday afternoon.
Crews arrived at Manila Drive about 1:45 p.m to find smoke coming from the hill and approaching some homes, according to Draper Fire Chief Clint Smith. Most of the active fire had been "knocked down" within an hour or so of crews arriving, Smith said, with crews remaining on scene into the evening containing the fire and extinguishing remaining hot spots.
None of the homes were evacuated, though residents were placed on standby in case evacuation became necessary, Smith said. Dispatchers initially reported that three homes were evacuated as a precaution. No injuries were reported.
Smith did not know the exact size of the fire but estimated that it was at least several acres. He said the fire was human-caused, but did not give any further details as to how it started.
The brush fire was the second blaze reported in Draper on Tuesday. It followed a fire near the Jordan River Trail that was reported just after midnight early Tuesday morning, Smith said. That fire was determined to be caused by fireworks.
After a "slow start" to the 2019 wildfire season, things have gotten "a lot busier," with new fires cropping up every day, said Jason Curry, spokesman for the Utah Division of Forestry.
"We’re right now entering into full swing," Curry said.
Unlike this same time last year, however, there have been virtually no fires at high elevations, where snow has lingered well into summer.
More than 80 percent of wildfires this time of year are caused by humans, Curry said. Common causes include equipment fires and campfires that are left unattended or not fully extinguished.
With Fourth of July activities already underway this week, there have been a few fires caused by fireworks, Curry said. Legally, Utahns may set off fireworks starting at 11 a.m. two days before the holiday — Tuesday — and until July 5, though there are various local and statewide restrictions in place.