By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
A controlled burn swiftly got out of hand Saturday
afternoon and destroyed approximately $15,000 of
property.
Brett Ostler, Nephi City Fire Chief, said he wanted to
warn people in the community to stay with any fires they
start. “The law requires that those who have burn
permits stay with the controlled burn until it is completely
out.”
Ostler said the blaze began when Cleston Park, who owns
property on 400 South and 400 East, Nephi, left a controlled
burn in a woodpile on the property.
“Park left, thinking the fire was going to stay
put,” said Ostler. “He went home, (271 South 300
East) just a few blocks away, to get a drink of water and to
pick up his wife.”
The fire quickly flared up, said Ostler. It burned into
dry grass and crossed onto property belonging to Kerry
Tidwell, 440 South 400 East. Tidwell’s home is located
at the site.
The fire burned an antique 1955 Chev pick-up truck, a
go-cart, tiller, bicycles, semi-tractor truck tires, and
drew close to the family residence and a tractor trailer
unit used by Tidwell in his business.
“When we got there,” said Ostler, “the
fire was headed for the truck which is valued at
$85,000.”
The fire crew quickly pulled out their one-and-a-half
inch lines and began pouring water on the area to prevent
the fire from burning the truck.
“We started on the north end to keep the fire from
destroying the semi,” said Ostler. “I’m glad
the fire didn’t get it and we were able to prevent it
from being burned. The fire got dangerously close.”
Diesel fuel is not highly explosive, he said. However, if
the fuel tanks on the truck happened to be mostly empty and
were filled with fumes there could have been some
problem.
“We were concerned about saving the truck because of
its value to Tidwell,” said Ostler.
There were 15 volunteer firefighters from the Nephi City
Fire Department at the scene for more than two hours
fighting to repress the out-of-control burn.
The fire department also had both pumper trucks, a
mini-pumper, and equipment truck at the site.
Ostler said the fire was discovered by Ken Ingram, who
happened to be traveling past. “He used his radio to
call the fire in and report it,” said Ostler.
“We have a lot of people who buy burn permits at
this time of year,” said Ostler. “They need to
remember that they are responsible for any fire that gets
out of hand while they are cleaning up their property. They
and there insurance company will end up footing the bill for
any fire that gets away from them.”
The dry conditions which are currently prevailing make it
very easy for more to be burned than the property owner
planned on burning, he said.
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