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Show Volume XIV Issue XVI The Ogden Valley news Page 11 November 1, 2007 HISTORICAL - Holiday is Business as Usual for Firefighters at Eden Blaze Note: This article was printed in the “Standard-Examiner” on September 6, 1988, and was written by Don Baker, “Standard-Examiner” staff. While Northern Utahns paused from their work to celebrate the Labor Day holiday, it was business as usual for more than 100 firefighters and support crews laboring against a stubborn fire that has charred 2,400 acres north of Eden. Fire crews from as far away s Pennsylvania and Michigan were up at This will be the second time the fire and Utah counties. Also fighting the fire is state forestry will be declared controlled. crew No. 10 from Pennsylvania; a National The fire began August 24 near Wolf Park Service crew from Michigan, Missouri Creek . . . . and Illinois; and a Forest Service crew from Ottawa, Michigan. Pettigrew said the public can help by observing a strict fire closure along the Wasatch Front that allows fires only in improved campgrounds and limits smoking mostly to inside vehicles. “We really need to stress people being By Charles F. Trentleman careful with fire,” he said. (September 7, 1988) “Standard-Examiner” Homes in Wilderness Don’t Mix With Forest Fires The fire that ravaged the mountains north of Pineview Reservoir didn’t burn any houses down, but a county fire official says it easily could have. Like it or not, said Weber County Fire District Chief Jay Goodell, Northern Utah is becoming one of those places where houses get burned down in grass fires. It’s not just California any more, Goodell said. “It’s right here.” The reason is that homes in the wilderness and forest fires don’t mix. “People are going to have to get educated if they’re going to live in these urban areas with this wildlife interface,” Goodell said. “They’re going to have to clear this brush out.” All too often, he said, people who want a mountain cabin build where “the trees Night Light are right against the house and the underOrange flames light up the night as the range fire burning northeast of Eden in the Ogden growth is right against the house.” Valley is whipped up by wind. Extra firefighters were brought in to battle the blaze. Photo courtesy of the Standard-Examiner, September 1, 1988. 6:30 a.m. and trooped to a fire line that has been carved out of brush and oak on the steep Ogden Valley hillside. Incident commander Craig Pettigrew predicted the fire will be contained by 6:00 p.m., meaning crews will have encircled the blaze with a fire line, and under control by Wednesday night. “It’s still pretty hot on the east side,” said Pettigrew, area forester for the State Division of Lands and Forestry. “But we have put in a hand line—people with hand tools—and we’re continuing to secure the (fire) line,” he said. “We’re checking for any spot fires on the exterior and starting to mop up the interior.” The fire has been confined to the Geertsen Canyon drainage and is now about 1½ miles from Powder Mountain. “We don’t expect it to move in that direction if anything breaks loose,” said Pettitgrew. The weather remained calm Sunday, but firefighters still found themselves battling 20-25 mph winds that scoured the higher elevations. That wind hampered efforts to contain the fire with “burnouts,” controlled fires that burn off an area and consume combustible fuels before the main fire gets there. “It’s really scary in some places,” Pettigrew said. In addition to 95 firefighters on the line and 10 support personnel, the forester said seven engines and two bulldozers have been pressed into service. One helicopter is also working the fire, shuttling crews to higher elevations and dropping buckets of water on key spots. Five crews are assigned to the blaze, including the Flame-‘N-Goes from the Utah State Prison, and a crew from Summit Also written in the “Standard-Examiner the week of the fire by staff writer Charles F. Trentelman: When fire comes, he said, there’s no way to keep it away. He said there are many trouble areas around Weber County now where the “wildlife interface” is creating a fire hazard. Uintah Highlands, most developments around Pineview Reservoir, cabin sites in Nordic Valley, Sourdough, Causey Estates, and others are all in danger if fires come their way, he said. In all those area, and any similar, he strongly recommends owners clear out all weeds, cut low branches off trees, and keep the areas clear. A well-cleared lot will allow a fire to pass around a home or cabin, he said, or at least give the home a fighting chance. His department has tried to educate homeowners already, he said so far with no results. “They wouldn’t damage that little old oak tree,” he said. “You know, mother nature put that oak tree there.” In a way, Goodell said, he can’t blame the homeowners. “You want a cabin in the mountains; you don’t want to go clear the ground for 100 yards,” he said. That makes for a rather bleak lot. But homeowners in the mountains need to decide, he said: Do I lose a little of the ambiance and clear the weeds “or do I leave it there and play the Russian Roulette.” After this year’s fires, he said, he hopes more people will become aware of the dangers. Historical Photo Of Fire, Chief Says Fire Near Ski Resort Contained Again The 2,500 acre Powder Mountain fire was declared contained this morning after more than 100 firefighters spent nearly two weeks battling it. “They have a (fire) line on it,” said Jay Goodell, Weber County Fire District chief. “The operation right now is to strengthen the line and mop up hot spots.” He said firefighters hope to have the blaze controlled by Wednesday. Goodell said the bookkeeping part of the operation now begins. Putting out this fire will be expensive, he said, and the question is how to divide the cost of the effort among the parties involved. With men still on the line, and two helicopters still at work, Goodell said he has no idea how much the fire will end up costing. A fire earlier this year in Sawmill Canyon near Monte Cristo, which also took 100 firefighters to control but did not last as long, cost more than $150,000, he said. The U.S. Forest Service, the State Division of Lands and Forests and the Weber County Fire District will all share the cost, he said. He said the fire was started by sparks from a bulldozer being operated by Powder Mountain ski resort employees. LDS Primary Children in Eden about 1934 - 1935 This picture of LDS church primary children was taken about 1934 or 1935. Back row: Mack Fuller, Evelyn Fuller, Jo Ann Stallings, Eugene Wilson, ( ? ), Mildred Graham, Sylvester Lindsay. Center Row: Melvin Green, LuJean Fuller, Erma Wilson, Renee Burnett, Annette Graham. Front Row: Beulah Lindsay, Barbara Peterson, Howard Fuller, Pearl Jones, Loraine Story, Ned Clark. Picture courtesy of Ned Clark formerly of Liberty. www.SkiedenValleyUtah.com $749,000 One in a million Country Farm House in secluded East Huntsville overlooking the Monastery’s pristine properties. Incredible custom details throughout. Fantastic floor plan with a unique 600 SF guest bedroom/office space above garage. 1.6 acres. Animals permitted. Owner/Agent. MLS #703705 Call Jeff Good - Season’s Real Estate at (801) 710-3932. |