Nearly 23k tons of debris cleared following mudslide due to Buckley Draw Fire, worst in over 20 years

PROVO, Utah (ABC4) — Provo City officials said they cleared nearly 23,000 tons of debris following a mudslide on Aug. 27 caused due to the burn scars left behind by the Buckley Draw fire.

City officials stated that 0.7-0.8 inches of rain dropped over the Buckley Draw Fire burn scar in just 30 minutes. As a result, there was a significant amount of mud and debris flow.

“The peak flows in this event were considerably larger than the [peak flows] that happened in 2003,” Tim Thompson with GeoStrata Engineering and Geosciences, when comparing this incident to a similar event that happened over 20 years ago.

They said that the flow made it to State Street, shut down roads, and made its way into a meetinghouse for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Over 200 volunteers participated in the cleanup, along with UDOT crews, and roads were fully reopened two days later. Provo City Mayor Kaufusi thanked the volunteers and employees for their support.

“I just want to thank everyone. It was almost magical to watch, even though it was a disaster, to see public works, fire, police, my office, we were all in it,” she said.

Mayor Kaufusi said that plans to fix the problems caused by the flow were discussed quickly after the incident began.

“The minute the fire began, I can tell you, the conversation began,” she stated.

Crews hauled away approximately 1,550 truckloads with over 23,000 tons of debris. The press release shared that the following equipment was used in the cleanup process:

• Six loaders
• Three skidsteers
• One grader
• Two mini excavators
• Six vac trucks
• Seven dump trucks
• Five plows
• Three sweeper

No homes were damaged in the debris flow, reported Mayor Kaufusi. Her team was relieved that all of the Provo City citizens and their belongings were safe.

“Our number one concern is the safety of our citizens,” she said.

Reports from the Forest Service identified this as a 10-year storm event that behaved like a 25-year storm event.

Provo City has started a study with GeoStrada to analyze the burn scar and debris flow. It will be completed in approximately 30 days.

Mayor Kaufusi stated that the city is prepared for an event like this to happen again in the future. She ensures that the citizens, and their property, will remain safe.

“We’ll do everything we can to take care of you,” Mayor Kaufusi said.