The cause of a structure and grass fire that occurred Friday afternoon south of Afton remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact authorities.

Fire fire was called into 911 by passing motorists shortly before 4:00 p.m. Friday, August 21. The caller reported a structure on fire on the west side of Highway 89 near Kodiak Mountain Resort. Upon arrival, the Afton Volunteer Fire Department found thee-sided lean-to completely engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading in the surrounding dry grass.

The fire continued to spread towards the south, reaching the cottonwood trees along the nearly empty Dry Creek riverbed. The fire jumped the riverbed and began burning grass on the other side, moving toward open fields and homes.

Firefighters attacked the fire from various access points with multiple engines. As the flames in one area would be brought under control, firefighters had to often relocate trucks to attack another area, navigating hoses around fences, vehicles and other equipment that was on site. As trucks would run out of water they were taken to nearby fire hydrants to refill. The fire was fully contained shortly before 5:00 p.m. An estimated 3-5 acres burned. Firefighters remained on scene to do mop op and contain any hot spots. Firefighters were again called to the scene around 6:45 p.m. for reports of a tree that was smoldering.

Lincoln County Sheriff Shane Johnson said the cause of the fire remains under investigation, and asked if anyone has any information that they contact the Sheriff’s Office or the Afton Volunteer Fire Department. A responding deputy with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said he was told by landowners that there was a fire pit in the area next to the lean-to, but that it hadn’t been used in multiple weeks. The landowners said they were unaware of anyone being in the area or of anything being burned.

SVI photos/Duke Dance