Overnight wildfire in Sandy human-caused, official says

SANDY — Dozens of firefighters were battling an estimated 55-acre blaze today in Sandy near Little Willow and Rocky Mouth canyons.

The fire was reported about 11 p.m. Tuesday. As of late today, it was 10 percent contained and headed east. Crews had no time frame for when they expect to completely contain the blaze, according to Kathy Jo Pollock of the U.S. Forest Service.

The fire's cause is considered suspicious, but Sandy police are still investigating. "They don't know what type of device ignited the fire, but are definitely sure it was human-caused," Pollock said.

Several homes are located near the blaze, but Pollock said they were not in harm's way and no evacuations had been ordered. Crews were digging a fire line to the north and west of the blaze "to keep the fires out of the watershed and homes and structures," Pollock said.

About 30 or more residents were at a park at 11500 South and Wasatch Boulevard today, watching crews work on the fire.

Smoke from the blaze was clouding the air and blocking views around the mountains. Three 20-person fire crews, and one seven-member squad were in the canyons, and a helicopter was dumping water from the Lower Bells Canyon Reservoir on the blaze.

Hikes around the reservoir were closed today because of firefighting efforts.

Sharon Reynolds, of Sandy, was watching the blaze this morning and last night with her family. She is the wife of Sandy fire captain, Ron Reynolds.

"It was devastating," Reynolds said. "It made me want to cry. As it climbed higher, we just watched the pine trees explode one by one."

• A separate wildfire up Emigration Canyon was contained by this morning, with some crews left at the scene to watch for hot spots, according to Chad Simons with the Unified Fire Authority. The fire was caused by a downed power line, just above the Mountain Dell Reservoir near East Canyon.

Crews hiked the mountain and dug a fire line around the blaze. It burned about a half acre.

Utah firefighters are asking residents to be careful with fireworks and campfires this Fourth of July. "If people do light a fire they are responsible for the cost and consequences," Pollock said.

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Contributing: Nicole Warburton

E-mail: amarshall@desnews.com