U.S. Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, and Elk Ridge Mayor Ty Ellis are trying to find the positive in 2018’s Bald Mountain Fire that burned over 18,000 acres of southeastern Utah County.
Last year, Curtis introduced House Resolution 722, which would name a mountain peak standing between Elk Ridge and the area where the Bald Mountain Fire burned “Miracle Mountain.”
Ellis testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources on Dec. 5 and said the mountain “spared” his city, which issued mandatory evacuations as the fire spread.
The lightning-caused fire started 9.5 miles away from Elk Ridge but rapidly advanced to only 4.5 miles away, Ellis said. As the fire grew closer, Ellis said he feared for the fate of his community.