FRUIT HEIGHTS — The Davis County Sheriff’s Office has issued mandatory evacuations for residents near Adams Canyon, at the border of Kaysville and Fruit Heights, who are affected by a quickly growing wildfire.
The homes affected by the order are on Oakmont Lane at 1375 E. and 1800 East. Homes on Mountain Rd. from 200 N. to the gun range and from the split to 650 N are also included in the evacuation order.
The evacuations are expected to be in place through the night. Search and rescue crews are going up Bair, Ward and Adams Canyons to evacuate any hikers or campers who may still be there.
Named the Francis Fire, it has now burned between 100 and 200 acres. At the time of this update, there was no containment.
At least 6-thousand gallons of fire-retardant have been dropped on the fire. Right now there are only air resources and firefighters defending houses. Hand crews will join those crews on Tuesday morning.
Firefighters and homeowners are hopeful that rain will accompany an approaching cold front. Right now the wind is pushing the fire north. Officials say it is headed to thicker brush up the side of the mountain.
The wildfire, burning near the border of Fruit Heights and Kaysville, initially forced crews to evacuate hikers from the popular Adams Canyon Trail along with about 20 nearby homes.
The flames, whipped up by gusty winds ahead of a storm system, grew quickly Monday afternoon and were visible from the Utah Department of Transportation’s US 89 traffic cameras.
The Davis County Sheriff’s Office was not immediately able to say what caused the Francis Fire.
Crews initially reported the fire was about 50 acres but described it as growing rapidly. The sheriff’s office said search and rescue crews would help evacuate hikers from Adams Canyon and the area around Davis County Animal Care and Control. The animal shelter itself was not evacuated.
Buses headed north of 200 N and east of US 89 will be diverted. That affects Davis School District buses as well. Parents of students riding two buses from East Layton Elementary are being asked to pick their children up at school instead.
Reporters for KSL spotted dozens of drivers parked along US 89, taking pictures and video of the fire, in violation of traffic signs. Those signs advise drivers should stop for emergencies only.
This story will be updated as more information is released.