VIDEO: Firefighters extinguish 26-acre vegetation fire in Enoch
ENOCH, Utah (ABC4) — On Sunday, the Cedar City Fire Department responded to a report of a vegetation fire in the city of Enoch, between Old Highway 91 and Interstate 15.
Also on Sunday, Utah Fire Info had initially estimated the size of the fire to be about 10 acres. However, on Monday, officials said the blaze — later named the “Tank Fire” — burned 26.7 acres.
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The Cedar City Fire Department was among the responding agencies and brought one structure engine, two water tenders, four brush engines, and two command vehicles, according to a press release.
The Bureau of Land Management also responded with four engines; Forestry Fire & State Lands responded with two engines; and Iron County dispatched their dozer, one Type 2-20 person hand crew, and two aircraft.
Officials said when the fire first broke out, the nearby Valley Bible Church was threatened, but crews worked quickly to save surrounding structures, and were able to stop the fire from progressing.
The fire affected traffic, causing a road closure on southbound I-15 at milepost 64, and causing Old Highway 91 to shut down while firefighters fought the blaze. Local law enforcement — including the Enoch Police Department, Utah Highway Patrol, and the Iron County Sheriff’s Office — worked to help in traffic control efforts.
“We are fortunate that crews were able to stop this fire quickly,” Cedar City Fire Chief Mike Phillips said. “With the recent fires in our area and the red flag warnings, the weather is not in our favor.”
Firefighters believe the fire may be human-caused, but the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Utah Fire Info said Sunday that a motor vehicle started the Tank Fire, but officials did not provide more information on how the vehicle may have started the fire.
According to the fire department, the blaze was contained at 6 p.m. last night with crews continuing to watch hot spots Monday.
“As a reminder, many areas in Utah are experiencing Red Flag Warnings, including Iron County. It is important to ensure all vehicles and equipment are in working condition, including tires, chainsaws, lawnmowers, etc., and that personal fireworks are not being used anymore or illegal open burning,” the Cedar City Fire Department wrote in an online post.
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