Sheriff’s Deputy honored for saving lives during a wildfire in Utah

Two people running from a fire were rescued by the Deputy

Knolls Fire rescue
The truck that ignited and started a new fire near the Knolls Fire in Utah County, Utah south of Provo June 28, 2020. Screenshot from video by Utah County Sheriff’s Office.

A Sheriff’s deputy was honored Wednesday for saving the lives of two people who were threatened by a fire that ignited when their truck got stuck near the Knolls Fire south of Provo, Utah.

On June 28, 2020 at about 9 p.m. Utah County Deputy Sheriff John Thomas saw the new fire and two people running from it. One was badly burned and was flown to a hospital after being rescued by Deputy Thomas.

It turns out that during an attempt to cut a fence to bypass a road closed by the Knolls Fire, their truck got stuck and leaked gas which ignited and started the fire south of Saratoga Springs on State Road 68.

Deputy Thomas saved their lives.

The video provides more details. Footage of the incident begins at about 1:20.

Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Bill. Typos or errors, report them HERE.

And speaking of rescues on a wildfire, here is another one:

Typos, let us know HERE, and specify which article. Please read the commenting rules before you post a comment.

Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

3 thoughts on “Sheriff’s Deputy honored for saving lives during a wildfire in Utah”

  1. What got me was the sawzall. I’m not one of those “kids these days” types but what kind of kid trying to cut a fence in Utah doesn’t have the decency to use fencing pliers? Big red flag.

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  2. “…It turns out that during an attempt to cut a fence to bypass a road closed by the Knolls Fire, their truck got stuck and leaked gas which ignited and started the fire south of Saratoga Springs on State Road 68….”

    Will they be charged with starting the fire, even if accidentally, they were attempting to bypass a closed road because of the Knolls Fire?

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  3. Would be interesting to hear more detail about the two rescued (before, during, after); best wishes for the woman’s recovery.

    The snake recovery and rescue is pretty amazing. Most reptiles would be biting anything that moved. Thanks to the firefighter, and FirePhotoGirl for sharing this!

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