Firefighters save town in Utah

Wed., June 29, 2005

Associated Press

NEW HARMONY, Utah — Fresh teams of firefighters moved in Tuesday to help crews that worked through the night to save this small town in southwestern Utah about 30 miles northwest of St. George from a shifting 12,000-acre wildfire.

“I’ve got nothing but kudos for the fire department,” Emily Jones said on a visit. The fire stopped within 50 feet of her home. “God was looking out for us,” she said.

High wind pushed the fire toward Harmony Heights and New Harmony late Monday, forcing the evacuation of nearly 1,000 people. Eight hundred firefighters worked all night to keep the fire away from homes; they got help when winds calmed. Officials lifted the evacuation order Tuesday.

Elsewhere in the state’s southwestern corner, a lightning storm started two new wildfires. The town of Motoqua, a cluster of 12 homes about 25 miles west of St. George, was placed under a one-hour evacuation order as flames moved to within two miles of city limits.

Emergency officials said they were working on an evacuation plan for the town’s 30 residents.

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Firefighters save town in Utah

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