October 19, 2020 | 2:58 p.m. MDT
Investigators have determined that the 3,450-acre Range Fire at Orem, Utah was started by target shooting at the police department’s gun range on the east side of the city. The police officer who was present is cooperating with investigators.
From the Incident Management Team, Monday, October 19, 2020:
“Fire activity on the Range Fire was minimal overnight, growth was significantly slowed by natural features. Firefighters completed a successful burn out operation last night to secure the southeast corner of the fire. Today, firefighters will be constructing hand line directly along the western perimeter of the fire. Crews will continue to mop up along the heel of the fire. Aircraft will assist ground resources by dropping water on hot spots as needed in areas where the terrain is too steep for firefighters to safely access.”
Resources assigned include 6 hand crews, 14 fire engines, and 6 helicopters for a total of 150 personnel. The estimated cost to date is $300,000.
This is how the 1994 8th Street Fire started at Boise, Idaho. Kind of crazy. Officials had asked everyone else to not target shoot for this reason.
Fires can start by accident, not all by nefarious means. Geographically diverse landscapes burn, no matter where, not from wildland mismanagement nor lack of raking the landscape floor. This landscape is a good example of that.