Pole Creek Fire In-Depth
Hardship brings people together
Nothing brings communities together like a tragedy.
The fires in Utah and Juab counties—the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires—have been blazing since September 6. The combined number of acres burned has been estimated at over 120,000. Over one thousand firefighters from thirty-seven states have engaged in the effort. Thousands of people were evacuated from their homes. Certainly the very definition of a tragedy.
But the entire area has seen an outpouring of help from people of every age and walk of life. School children have written cards and letters of support to not only the personnel fighting the fires, but to kids their age in Elk Ridge and Woodland Hills who were evacuated and displaced.
Ranchers whose cattle had to be relocated due to their proximity to the fires have, in turn, spent days helping others relocate their cattle. It’s been a massive group undertaking.
Hundreds of people have taken to social media to offer their homes to family and strangers alike.
But perhaps most telling of community support has been the almost excessive giving of donations. On September 14, news outlets and social media pages posted lists of needed donations. Less than two days later, Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox sent out a tweet giving his sincere gratitude for the overabundance of supplies and offers to help.
3 bottom on social media and on Saturday a representative of the fire crews called. Arrangements were made for the crew to come in and on Saturday night Culver's fed an entire crew of 125 firefighters in 2 shifts.
"They were grateful and it was our pleasure to do it," Hedin said.
The Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires have combined to eat up over 90,000 acres so far in the wilderness bordering South Utah County. It has forced the evacuation of more than 2,000 homes, affecting about 6,000 people.
Hedin said he's grateful for those working hard to save homes and cabins. "These guys are up there working long hard hours. It's hot. It's smoky. And some of these guy's are volunteers," Hedin said. " We just wanted to show support in the community."