One home was destroyed and several others were significantly damaged after a grass fire broke out in a field owned by the Weber State University Davis County campus. The fire ignited on a Tuesday afternoon in an area situated between the Ridgewood Estates Manufactured Home Community and the WSU Davis campus, just south of Hill Air Force Base.
The fire grew to approximately seven acres before crews managed to bring it under control, according to Battalion Chief Jason Cook of the Layton Fire Department. While crews were able to extinguish the flames quickly, Cook noted that dry and windy conditions made the situation volatile.
Sgt. Ottesen with the Layton Police Department stated that residents in Ridgewood Estates, Valley View Mobile Home Park, and along 2400 North were evacuated and directed to Northridge High School. Around 30 families were asked to evacuate, though several others chose to leave on their own as a precaution.
Approximately 70 personnel from the Layton, Hill Air Force Base, and Weber County fire departments were dispatched to the scene.
Investigators determined that several juveniles in the area were responsible for unintentionally starting the fire. Cook confirmed that one of the juveniles was referred to juvenile court.
There were no reports of injuries resulting from the fire. Cook noted that the university had performed field maintenance as recommended by the fire department, which helped prevent the fire from worsening. Crews remained on the scene into the evening to monitor for hotspots.
