The Gun Range Fire in Bountiful, Utah, destroyed three homes and forced about 400 to evacuate. Scientists hope machine learning can help them predict how large a fire will grow. Photo: Colby Walker | KSL Newsradio
UPDATE: Officials clarified that the two unidentified individuals have been cited and not charged as originally stated in the press release.
BOUNTIFUL, Utah — Two people have been cited in relation to the Gun Range Fire that burned more than 300-acres, consumed three homes and forced the evacuation of hundreds of homes in the Bountiful foothills a week ago.
A joint investigation between the US Forest Service, State Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands and South Davis Metro Fire has determined that the fire was caused by a campfire.
Jason Curry with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands said that the citation came after alert witnesses were able to identify the two individuals that started a campfire and then left before properly extinguishing it.
“The case began with investigators tracking the fire’s origin through the burn area to a small campfire ring near the side of a mountain road. Alert witnesses helped identify two individuals who ignited and were tending the campfire on the night of the wildfire. Investigators contacted the two and they are cooperating,” Curry says.
The Gun Range Fire was one of 55 wildfires that officials have attributed to campfires and officials reiterated the importance of ensuring that that every campfire is fully extinguished before leaving.
