Officials say 5th fire in a week to span Ogden River Parkway

OGDEN — Fire officials are calling it suspicious that five grass fires have hit near or along the Ogden River Parkway in just a week.

A Sunday fire burned 17 acres before fire crews from four agencies could contain it after the flames were first called in at 3:20 p.m. Four homes were threatened and one evacuated when flames spread on the grounds of the old Ogden City dump near 2536 D Avenue. Fire crews had trouble reaching the flames that were quickly growing due to 3-4 foot tall grass. It took three hours to contain the fire and officials expected fire crews to be on scene through the night handling hot spots, Ogden Fire Battalion Chief Corey Barton said.

"This is five fires within a week, all with close access to the parkway," Barton said. "We're trying to get people to help and watch for anything suspicious. We don't have the manpower for all these fires and our regular calls."

Besides multiple fires, crews have also answered hundreds of fireworks-related calls.

Barton said Ogden City recently established a new ordinance restricting fireworks use to between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m.

"Hopefully that'll stop some of the overnight fireworks," he said.

— Lana Groves