Halloween Fire Safety

Halloween Safety Tips:

  • Purchase only costumes, wigs and props labeled flame-resistant or flame-retardant. When creating a costume, choose materials that will not easily ignite if it comes in contact with heat or flame.
  • Use flashlights or glow sticks as alternatives to candles or incandescent lights when decorating walkways or yards. They are much safer for trick-or-treaters whose costumes may brush against the decoration.
  • Remember to keep exits clear of decorations ensuring nothing blocks escape routes from the home.
  • Instruct children to stay away from open flames or other heat sources. Be sure children know how to stop, drop and roll in the event their clothing catches on fire. (Stop immediately, drop to the ground, covering your face with your hands, roll over and over to extinguish the flames).
  • When decorating inside the home, consider using battery operated candles instead of burning regular candles to help eliminate the potential of a fire occurring.
  • Do not overload electrical outlets and extension cords. Excessive use of extension cords may cause overheating and also become trip hazards.
  • Replace frayed, cracked or otherwise damaged electrical cords.
  • Limit use of extension cords and don’t overload electrical circuits.

Click here to download “HALLOWEEN FIRE SAFETY TIPS”

Fox Bay Fire Update

9:00 am.

The Fox Bay fire is now 100% contained.  The total burn area is estimated at 540 acres. There is a hand crew out working hotspots today as well as fire tenders spraying the perimeter with the assistance of Wasatch County Public Works.

Residents were allowed to return yesterday, after being displaced for more than 24 hours, and were relieved to find that their homes were undamaged, and were very pleased with the aggressive manner used to protect their homes.  Several expressed their praise to the fire fighters and stated how lucky they were to have a full time fire station that was able to quickly respond.

The Jordanelle State Park is now open to full status.  They do ask that those using the facility refrain from beaching near the fire area.

Fox Bay Fire Press Release #2

Fox Bay Fire Press Release #2
Fox Bay Fire Wasatch/Summit Counties
Jordanelle State Park, Utah
10:33 am

After fire assessments were made this morning, the Fox Bay Fire is approximately 40% contained. Approximately 550 acres have burned northwest of Jordanelle State Park. At present, the weather is cooperating with fire suppression efforts, although there is a high expectancy of lightning and wind this afternoon.

Mandatory evacuations are still in place for Fox Bay, Stillwater, and the Shores residents, and visitors from the Jordanelle State Park. Officials are planning on lifting the evacuation order at 4:00 P.M. today as long as conditions continue to stay favorable.

A center for displaced residents is open at the J.R. Smith Elementary School in Heber City, located 10 miles east of the incident on Highway 40. The address to the school is 500 North 235 East in Heber City.

Jordanelle State Park is currently closed to the public, but individuals who fled the area and left watercraft, trailers, and other personal property are free to retrieve their items today from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Jordanelle area residents are fortunate to have had the foresight to construct the Jordanelle Fire Station since this fire almost certainly would have resulted in the loss of homes and other critical structures and could have caused significant injuries and loss of life.   At present, there have been no injuries and no structures have been lost.

For current updates on the fire, citizens are directed to call the Wasatch County Administration Building at 435-654-3211.

Fox Bay Fire Press Release #1

Fox Bay Fire Wasatch/Summit Counties
Jordanelle State Park, Utah
8:25 pm

On Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 2:41 p.m., the Wasatch County Dispatch Center received numerous reports of three small fires in the Jordanelle Basin.  Firefighters stationed at the Jordanelle Fire Station were on scene within two minutes of the call being received.

Due to high winds, the fire quickly engulfed 200 acres near the Deer Crest and Fox Bay home developments.  Firefighters from Wasatch and Park City Fire Districts (along with law enforcement and community action groups) have been deployed to the scene.  There is 5% containment of the fire at this time; high winds and change in wind direction have made containment efforts very difficult.

The Wasatch County Fire Chief has said that the mandatory evacuation for Fox Bay, Stillwater, and Jordanelle State Park visitors is still in effect.  There is no set time for their return.

The Fire Chief has determined that voluntary evacuations are in effect for Deer Crest and  St. Regis residents

Residents and state park visitors who have been displaced can relocate to either:

  1.  JR Smith Elementary School in Heber City, Utah, located 10 miles east of the incident on Highway 40. The address to the school is 500 North 235 East in Heber. Victims not unfamiliar with the area can turn east at the first traffic light at 500 North at the Smiths grocery store; or
  2. Deer Crest Residents and St. Regis occupants can evacuate to the Park City Municipal Athletic Recreation Center at 1200 Little Kate RD.  435-615-5401. Park City Public Information Officer will make thirty minute announcements about the progress of the  fire.

Fire updates are as follows:

There is currently 500 acres that have been burned at this time.  The cause is  undetermined at this time.   However, there were three separate starting points along the east side on SR 40.  Currently we have two helicopter units and four fixed wing air craft assisting with fire suppression.  There are Wasatch County, Forest Service, BLM, State Forestry, Summit County, Red Cross, Heber CERT, and multiple law enforcement agencies assisting with various parts of the fire suppression and evacuation services.

Questions concerning the fire evacuations should be directed to personnel assigned to JR Smith School 435-654-2201.