OGDEN — The fire Tuesday morning at the mouth of Ogden Canyon appears to have been set intentionally, says Ogden Fire Deputy Chief Matt Schwenk.
The location of the fire — about 400 yards west of the mouth of Ogden Canyon and north of 12th Street — indicates it was human-caused and intentional, Schwenk said.
He said the fuel source was vegetation.
The Ogden fire marshal, two city police detectives and an investigator from the U.S. Forest Service are investigating the blaze that destroyed about 15 acres and caused minor damage to gutters and downspouts at a home on 1350 South.
Schwenk said he was not aware if a suspect has been identified.
The fire started around 6:30 a.m. and was under control by about 9:30 a.m.
Between 50 and 60 homes were evacuated immediately because of the danger the fire posed to structures and residents, fire officials said.
Ogden Canyon Road was closed at Harrison Boulevard until fire crews extinguished the fire.
Crews spent the rest of the day mopping up hot spots, while residents took inventory of damaged fences, trees, bushes and siding.
Firefighters were dispatched at 6:30 a.m., Schwenk said.
The fire started near the Bonneville Shoreline trailhead at the mouth of the canyon.
Homes on Maxfield Drive, north of 1300 South, and homes on the south side of 1350 South were evacuated, as were the Canyon Terrace Condominiums.
Residents were allowed to return home around 9:30 a.m.
Schwenk said canyon winds — with gusts between 25 mph and 30 mph — whipped the flames through the dry, thick vegetation along the hillside toward the homes.
“Crews got on the high side of the fire and poured water on the flames as soon as they could,” Schwenk said.
A few homes received minor damages from the heat. Some fences were burned as the fire got as close as 30 feet to homes, but crews were able to stop the fire from reaching the homes.
No injuries were reported from the fire.
A hot spot started to flare up again around 6 p.m., but a neighbor put it out with a hose. Firefighters came back to the scene to make sure it was out.
Ogden police are asking for help from any witnesses who may have been in the area around the time of the fire between 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m Tuesday.
Specifically, police are seeking any information about persons, vehicles or anything suspicious seen near the entrance to Ogden Canyon.
Anyone with information should call Detective Darren Goff at 801-629-8029.
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