FIRE WATCH: Cedar Hills fire at 20% containment, “close to being a catastrophic event”

CEDAR HILL, Utah (ABC4) — A new fire has been reported burning on the hillside near Cedar Hill, Utah, and it is threatening structures. It was originally named the Hub City Fire, but officials announced that it had been renamed to the Cedar Hills Fire.

According to Utah Fire Info, it is estimated at 14 acres in size currently, and it is now 20% contained. It started on private land but is burning onto lands owned by the U.S. Forest Service.

Earlier, Utah Fire Info claimed that the fire was human caused, but American Fork Fire Department told ABC4.com that that was speculation. They said that they were investigating still and did not have a cause.

However, around 10 p.m. Wednesday night, Utah Fire Info said that the fire was caused by fireworks.

Fire crews are on scene and are actively responding, and the public is asked to avoid the area in order to keep access clear for emergency vehicles. Crews will staff the fire overnight and tomorrow.

Residents were not evacuated, but firefighters stopped letting people back into the neighborhood. However, this will end at 11 p.m. Wednesday, according to Utah Fire Info.

“It’s a very scary time for us firefighters, and it should be for the people that live in the urban interface,” Battalion Chief for American Fork Fire Rescue Brandon Boshard told ABC4.com. “This fire was very, very scary for us. It was close to being a catastrophic event.”

Reportedly, multiple air resources are responding, and because of that, the public should NOT be flying drones in the area.

According to American Fork Fire Department, crews received calls about a brush fire above Morgan Boulevard, which is one of the highest streets in Cedar Hill. The fire is currently running up Mount Timpanogos, and it is still burning.

There are about 70 firefighters on scene, including from the U.S. Forest Service and different fire departments from northern Utah County. There is one helicopter and several planes doing aerial fire-retardant drops.

No structures have been affected yet, but crews are concerned about down-canyon winds spreading it towards homes.