Blaze threatens homes; county bans fireworks

Sheila McGuire, Herald Reporter
Posted 7/6/18

Firefighters save homes from Evanston grass fire

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Blaze threatens homes; county bans fireworks

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EVANSTON — Evanston’s 4th of July was a bit different this year, with quiet streets and darkened skies replacing the traditional loud and vibrant fireworks displays, following a swiftly-moving fire that nearly claimed Evanston homes. 

The “Twin Ridge Fire” broke out shortly after 3 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon on the brush-covered hillside behind the homes on Crane Avenue. Crews raced to contain the fire, and at one point scanner traffic indicated they were making progress, but afternoon winds accelerated the fire and it began to spread rapidly eastward toward homes in the area of Troy Court and Del Rio Drive. 

Tanker trucks battling the blaze repeatedly returned to neighborhood fire hydrants to refill tanks and head back to the hillside. 

Between 3:30-4 p.m., residents in 100-150 homes in the area of Troy Court, Del Rio Drive and Crestview Drive were given mandatory evacuation orders, and a shelter area was staged at Evanston’s Machine Shop. The fire spread perilously close to homes, one of them belonging to local realtor Tib Ottley. 

Ottley said flames were licking over the deck on the west side of his home and only valiant efforts from local firefighters saved his home.

“They were on their backs with hoses with the flames coming up over them,” said Ottley. 

He said he first noted the flames shortly after 3 p.m., but he estimated they were 200-300 yards away and he didn’t believe they were going to threaten his home. Shortly thereafter the wind shifted, and the fire closed in quickly.

“I had no idea fire could move that fast,” he said. “It got to about 100 yards out and you could just feel the heat.” 

Evanston Fire Cpt. Tim Overy said fire was in the backyards of several homes on Troy Court. 

“We had to cut some pretty aggressive fire lines to manage it,” he said. 

While crews continued to battle the blaze, Evanston’s Code Red system sent out messages to area residents with notifications of the evacuation orders and requests to stay out of the affected areas. 

By early evening, when families would typically be hosting barbecues and preparing to light the skies with fireworks, word went out that a city-wide fireworks ban had been enacted and the annual E Hill fireworks display had been canceled. The ban quickly extended to include all of Uinta County. 

Evanston resident John Porter, owner of Porter’s Fireworks, said the ban and cancellation were necessary.

“They had crews from all over the county here fighting the fire,” he said. “If there had been one more incident somewhere else they wouldn’t have had the resources to deal with it.” 

When asked if the ban impacted his business, Porter said sales were already down this year, likely due to the holiday falling on a Wednesday.

“You get to know the local faces,” he said, “and the locals just weren’t in as much this year anyway.” 

He said the store did take numerous phone calls throughout the evening from people wanting information about the ban and the fireworks show. He said dispatch had done an excellent job staying in contact with him, so staff were able to answer questions. 

The cancellation of the fireworks show, however, does impact the business.

“That’s tens of thousands of dollars in labor and fireworks … just poof,” he said. 

He added, though, that it was a very scary situation and there was really no other choice.

“I’m really just thankful that no one was hurt and we didn’t lose homes,” Porter said, before emphasizing the work of the firefighters.

“The way they handled this was brilliant and hats off to them,” he said. “I’m just in awe of what they did. They deserve the Medal of Honor for that.” 

While there was some social media grumbling over the fireworks ban, Evanston Police Department Lt. Ken Pearson said residents complied and handled themselves very well. He said no citations were issued to anyone violating the ban.

“We had to grumble at a couple of people but nothing major,” he said. “Other than the fire, it was the most mild 4th of July we’ve ever had.” 

By approximately 8 p.m. Wednesday evening, the Uinta County Fire and Ambulance Facebook page alerted citizens all evacuation orders were lifted, and the fire was under control after burning 73 acres and right up to two homes. 

Overy said the fire was under control by about 7:30 p.m., and the site entered into a monitoring phase at about midnight. Overy said it will be monitored for the next several days. 

Ottley said he was able to return home by about 11 p.m. Wednesday night.

“We were the last ones allowed back in,” he said, “because of all the equipment up around there.”

He said fire crews were incredibly dedicated in fighting the fire and afterward.

“They were up late last night, until at least midnight, and when I got up at 5 a.m., they were back up there,” Ottley said. “They’re just an amazing group of people, just incredible crews. I just want to express my thankfulness. They’re all volunteers, and I’m just so impressed.” 

Porter said he was emotional talking about the work of the crews and what could have happened.

“I just feel for everybody,” he said. “Some of our kids who work in the store live in those houses, or their grandparents do. Nobody got hurt and we live to fight another day. Thank goodness we get to.” 

Overy said the fireworks ban is still in effect and will be in effect “until we get some significant moisture.” He admonished citizens to be extremely careful with fire, including for backyard barbecues and in fire pits.

“It’s just too dry to be complacent,” he said. 

Overy said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but early indications are it was related to fireworks.

(COURTESY PHOTO/Jen Halverson)