Thunderstorm leads to grass, pole fires

A thunderstorm moved through the Top of Utah Friday, sparking fires and breaking up the dry summer with some rain.

Lightning from the storm sparked a one-acre hillside fire near the Rose subdivision in Willard, on the east side of Highway 89, said Willard Fire Capt. Kirk Harpley. A “big gush” of rain helped the firefighters put it out, he said.

There were also at least three pole fires in Ogden, as well as others in Weber County, said Ogden Fire Battalion Chief Steve Splinte. After long periods of dry weather, light rain can cause dirt that collects in the transformers to spark.

More thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon and evening each day through the middle of next week, according to the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City. Meteorologists also expect temperatures to stay very warm.