Wildfire destroys half-acre of protected land near trail in Riverdale

RIVERDALE, Weber County — Three young men with a lighter was all it took to destroy half an acre of protected wildland near a walking trail Wednesday night.

Officials said they're just thankful there was no wind or the fire, which required 25 firefighters and multiple trucks to douse, could have been far worse.

"The undergrowth is so tinder dry with the heat the last couple of weeks, we're really in the dangerous time of grassfire/wildland fire situations," Riverdale City Fire Chief Douglas Illum said. "People need to be careful."

Neighbors noticed the flames just three feet from their backyard along the Riverdale Parkway trail close to 4600 S. Weber River Drive around 7 p.m. and called 911 while using garden hoses to help keep back flames. Fire crews responded in three minutes and were able to douse the flames before any homes were damaged, Illum said.

Police cited one man for reckless burning and later arrested him for outstanding warrants.

— Lana Groves