© Twitter/@JustinFreevesA wildfire started by fireworks burns in the Traverse Mountains north of Lehi, Utah, on Sunday, June 28, 2020. About 100 people were ordered to evacuate their homes.
"This cost a lot of people a long sleepless night. ... All because someone was using fireworks," Lehi Fire Department Chief Jeremy Craft said a briefing Sunday morning.
Firefighters worked through the night against the blaze, designated as the Traverse Fire. Sunday morning, it had consumed more than 1.5 square miles. No homes were burned, Craft said, but many of them may smell smoky for days.
About 100 people from 42 homes near the communities of Lehi and Draper were ordered to evacuate. The Red Cross set up two shelters. Craft said the evacuees may be allowed to return home Sunday afternoon.
As many as 7,500 homes and businesses lost electricity because of the fire, which was burning about 20 miles south of Salt Lake City. Power was restored by about 6 a.m. MDT, according to Rocky Mountain Power.
Craft said the fire quickly overwhelmed the resources of the Lehi department.
"Super dry fuels, all of a sudden we get a dry windstorm, and this thing was explosive," he said.
A small rainstorm about 5 a.m. raised humidity levels and helped the multiple crews get a better handle on the fire.
Craft said the fireworks were being used outside the dates allowed by the state. They were also being used in a prohibited area, he said.
Fireworks are illegal to light off in the state of Utah except on July 2-5, July 22-25 and Dec. 31-Jan. 1. Even on those days, some areas remain off-limits to firework use because of increased wildfire danger.
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Strong winds, some gusting as high as 36 mph, and low humidity will continue to bring critical fire weather conditions Sunday afternoon and evening to the state, according to the National Weather Service.
Drought is also increasing the risk of wildfire in many Western states.
More than 19,500 fires were started by fireworks in 2018, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Brush, grass or forest fires accounted for three of every five (59%) of fireworks fires.
Ron Brackett is a writer for weather.com. Previously, he was a deputy managing editor for the Tampa Bay Times in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he was deeply involved in hurricane and weather coverage. He has a journalism degree from the University of South Carolina. Follow him on Twitter.
Our state legalized fireworks a few years ago but they were never this accessible.
A recent news report mentioned the uptick in selling fireworks to the public this year and how it could be a provocation and cover for illicit activity.
And just now, your article above...