June 11, 2000
A brush fire in Springville has ravaged the area, but it now appears all the homes that were threatened are safe.
The fire has been burning since about 5:00 Saturday evening. It started in Spring Creek and Hobble Creek Canyons.
Karen Scullin reports on the blaze that refused to be contained.
LaJeen Carter/Neighbor: "THAT'S MY GRANDDAUGHTER ERIN."
LaJeen Carter says she grabbed her painting and a change of clothes when she and her husband
were ordered to evacuate because the fire was getting too close.
But before they left, Richard Carter was out to save his property from being scorched.
Richard Carter/Neighbor: "I JUST WALKED UP HERE AND SEEN THE SMOKE OVER THIS WAY."
Burning close to his home, Richard and other neighbors went for water.
Richard Carter: "WE WENT AND GOT OUR HOSES, AND THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM ON, AND IT WENT RIGHT THROUGH."
Incredibly, the fire blew right by. Fast, but without damaging any homes.
Richard Carter: "IT JUST WENT THROUGH HERE SO FAST THAT IT DIDN'T TAKE TIME TO BURN THE SCRUB OAK AND I THINK THAT HELPED A LOT."
Today neighbors who had prepared for the worst were amazed at how lucky they really were.
Bernadette Hill/Neighbor: "IT REALLY GOT CLOSE TO YOU DIDN'T IT? WOW. WHAT A MIRACLE. WHAT A
MIRACLE."
Most say they could feel the intense heat and thought their homes would at least have heavy smoke damage.
Doug Hill/Neighbor: "WE WERE SURPRISED. THERE WASN'T A GREAT DEAL OF SMOKE IN THE HOUSE, BUT THERE WAS A LOT IN THE GARAGE."
Richard Carter: "WE HAD A LOT OF ASH ON THE BALCONY AND ON THE PATIO AND THAT. WE HAD A LOT OF ASH."
But the smoke cleared, and the ash was simply washed away. And most importantly, everyone was safe.
The fire, now under control, came within a few yards of at least five homes.
But the winds picked up and pushed the fire away from the homes.
