Centerville wildfire ‘most likely’ caused by fireworks; evacuation orders lifted

CENTERVILLE, Utah — Police have lifted all evacuation orders for the Deuel Creek Fire, which police say was human-caused with fireworks being the most likely cause.

No injuries have been reported and no structures have been damaged. Centerville’s mayor said Monday’s parade and Freedom Run have been canceled due to the drain on resources, fire needs and blocked roads.

Far from over: 🧯🚒

Centerville PD tells me while you may not be able to see a ton of smoke driving by or at the bottom of the hill, there’s still a ways to go before the fire is completely put out. @KSL5TV @cpdutah @SLCScanner

— Karah Brackin (@KB_ON_TV) July 4, 2022

Around 100 homes were evacuated in the foothills east of Centerville after the wind-whipped wildfire started around 11 p.m. Sunday near Firebreak Road and the popular Deuel Creek trail.

Jim Dickerson was one of the nearly 100 people evacuated from their homes.

“It was pretty smokey up there, and we got evacuated from our homes,” said Dickerson.

State fire officials said the fire burned around 100 acres as it quickly spread up the hillside. An evacuation center was set up at 950 North Main St. for those impacted by the fire.

“I’ve hiked that hillside,” said Sgt. Dave Boucher with the Centerville Police Department.

As someone who knows the area well, he said one of the major challenges in fighting the fire meant dealing with a tough climb.

“It’s very steep terrain. It’s tough,” said Boucher.

The Interagency Fire Command brought in a Type III team to manage the fire later Monday morning.

Police said the wind shifting moved the fire away from homes instead of toward them. More boots on the ground moving quickly helped too.

“They have eight different agencies up on the mountain,” said Centerville police Lt. Allen Ackerson.

In the case of any future evacuation, Ackerson said one way people can prepare and stay in the know is by using Code Red, an app city officials can use to send out notifications.

“Make sure people have that downloaded on their phone and sign up,” said Ackerson.