Gun Range Fire destroys 3 homes in Bountiful, forces evacuation of 400 others as blaze spreads through 150 acres
At least three homes were destroyed, in a fast-spreading blaze, termed the Gun Range Fire, as 400 other houses were evacuated in Bountiful, Utah, on Friday according to reports. Hundreds of people are believed to have been displaced in the fire, the cause of which is not yet known.
Fire officials, on Friday morning, said that the threat to structures have considerably reduced as they battle to control the wildfire which has spread to nearly 150 acres in Bountiful. There are no reports of containment of the blaze yet. Nearly 200 firefighters reported on the scene earlier in the day, however, some of those units are now being released, according to Fox 13 News.
Bountiful Police Lt. Dave Edwards, while addressing reporters, said that the fire started just before 1 am on the east bench on Friday, and that it was zero percent contained, adding that it had burned nearly 150 acres as of Friday morning. He also added that initial wind gusts as high as 30 mph assisted the blaze in moving toward residential areas.
Police on Twitter announced that the residents near Ridgeline Circle and Sunrise Circle in Centerville have also been evacuated.
However, reports state that the blaze has not affected the Davis County much and the district school will continue to operate on their normal schedule. Although school buses will not pick up students from the area closed to traffic between 400 North to 1600 North and from 900 East up the mountainside.
"The district is also aware of smoke caused by the fire and will monitor air quality conditions throughout the day," The Davis School District wrote on Twitter.
Reports state that evacuation centers are currently being set up at a Latter-day Saint meetinghouse at Center and Main St. in Bountiful, and at 900 S 400 E and 270 N 300 E in Centerville.
Bountiful Police, in an update on Twitter, said: "Public can call 298-6294 and 6297 for information. Please avoid calling 911 or 801-298-6000."