Month: August 2011

Lightning has caused more than 10 fires since Friday night. The most visible fire from the St. George area is the Plateau Fire, located about 10 miles south of Bloomington. The fire has burned over 2,000 acres but has not threatened any structures. Resources from across the area were used to assist in keeping the fires from threatening any structures or roadways. A large California-based air tanker played a large part in the success of helping to control the Plateau Fire. 

Due to the remote locations of the blazes, aerial attack crews were the most used resource. Smoke from these fires is visible from St. George, Mesquite, Nev., and along the Virgin River. Low winds and a cool day on Saturday helped the containment effort. Crews will be monitoring the current fires as well the entire region, as thunderstorms are expected throughout Sunday night into Monday morning.  

Over 250 fire fighters are working with five helicopters, and 15 wildland fire engines to contain the several blazes. More resources are on standby and could be called in from across the state and region if needed. 

Below is a list of the largest fires, their location, and acerage estimates.

Plateau Fire, located 10 miles east of Bloomington, 2,200 acres, 10% contained. 

Scenic Fire, near Scenic, Ariz., 650 acres, 10% contained.

Middle Fire, 50 miles south of St. George, 850 acres, 70% contained. 

UPDATE: Public Information Officer Kenton Call confirms that several fires have been started by lighting from thunderstorms that came through the area. The Dixie National Forest and BLM called in aerial attacks on the fires. Crews from across the state and area are expected to be fighting the multiple fires from the ground tomorrow. The fires are currently not threatening any structures. 

“The fires are currently burning in pretty rugged terrain,” Call said. ” No firefighting action is worth compromising the safety of fire crews or the public”.

Crews are battling three lighting caused fires Friday evening on the Arizona strip. No structures are reportedly in danger. The fires have been named as follows. The Plateau Fire, assessed at 300 acres; the Sun Rock Fire, which is very small and no acreage has yet been assessed; and the Lime Kiln Fire, assessed at 120 acres.

More Information will be added to this story as it becomes available.

Nearly 10,000 law enforcement agencies from all over the country are supporting Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, including Zion National Park.  The campaign, designed to combat impaired driving, started August 19 and will continue through September 5. 

In 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that over 10,000 people died in crashes involving drivers who were at or about the legal limit.  Zion National Park Superintendent Jock Whitworth says that the park is “committed to protecting park visitors by intensifying our law enforcement efforts.  With twice as many alcohol-impaired accidents occurring over weekends and four times as many accidents occurring at night, we will be particularly vigilant during these times.”

Those who fail to drive sober may face jail time, lose their driver’s licenses, or be required to use ignition interlock devices. 

Three people have been arrested in Cedar City on felony weapon and drug charges. 

Thomas Richard Dale Goatz, 22, Timothy Drew Goatz, 23, and Carmen Renee Doan, 34, were arrested Thursday by Cedar City Police on charges stemming from incidents in the Cedar City and Blanding areas.

Sgt. J.R. Robinson of the Cedar City Police Department said investigators from the Cedar City Police Department began an investigation of an automobile burglary in the Fiddler’s Canyon area. While the investigation was being conducted, officers learned of a possible burglary of a Utah police department, in which drugs, and firearms were taken. 

During a traffic stop made by a UHP trooper near Salt Lake City, corroborating evidence about the burglary was yielded. This information revealed that the victim agency was the Blanding police, and also identified a list of suspects who committed the burglary. 

A search warrant for a residence in Enoch was issued, and with the help of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, additional stolen guns and drugs from the Blanding Police Station were recovered. Officers arrested the suspects at the house in charges of possession of stolen guns and drugs. 

The three were each charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute in a drug free zone, a second degree felony; nine counts of possession of a firearm by a restricted person, a third degree felony; nine counts of possession of a stolen firearm, a second degree felony; two counts of child endangerment, a third degree felony; and cultivation of marijuana in a drug free zone, a second degree felony. 

After a robbery at their Brigham Road location nearly two weeks ago, Wells Fargo Bank in connection with the Utah Bankers Association, is offering up to a $10,000 reward for original information leading to the identification, apprehension, and conviction of the person(s) involved. 

The incident occurred on August 18, when a white male described as short, weighing approximately 150 pounds with facial hair on his chin, entered the bank located at 144 West Brigham Road and used a note to demand money from a bank teller.  The suspect then left on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.  He was seen wearing a red and green plaid shirt, jeans, and a women’s wig.  Officers circulated the area, but were unable to locate the suspect.  The St. George Police Department is working with the Federal Bureau of Investigations on the case.  Anyone with information is asked to contact FBI Special Agent Seth Footlick at 435-628-7499 or St. George Detective Rich Triplett at 435-627-4323.