On Sunday, June 28, 2020, around 13,000 residents in 3,100 homes, about 1/3rd of the population of Saratoga Springs, Utah, were evacuated before a fast moving wildfire. After consuming considerable part of West Mountain’s dry vegetation and trees, the fire charred a ten by two mile strip of Saratoga Springs west of Utah Lake.[i]
The result of this, the largest evacuation for a wildfire in Utah’s history, was no deaths or injuries, only one home destroyed and a dozen more damaged.[ii]
A video of the KSL survey after the fire is accessible here.
We Should be Very Grateful!
Our family prepared to be evacuated from our home a few miles north and west of the yellow and red areas marked for evacuation. But, it was not necessary to evacuate in our case. With two cases of disability in our family, my daughter Barbie and myself, we were very grateful to not have to evacuate. Updates indicate that there still could be another evacuation needed. We’ll see what happens.
The Saratoga Springs Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is under construction a mile or so to the east of our home in Eagle Mountain. The temple is a couple of miles north of the evacuation areas noted of the map.
Did Divine Intervention have a role to play in this?
Did the Lord’s blessings protect the temple and dozens of stake and ward meeting houses here in the Saratoga Springs area?
I believe that the Lord did answer many sincere prayers to bless and protect our families and homes here in this beautiful valley.
Yes, Yes, Yes!
May we all go forward with gratitude, with faith, with courage and with a song in our hearts. We should be happy and truly enjoy the great privilege of being part of these wonderful and challenging last days.
[i] “Evacuees return home in Saratoga Springs, but Knolls Fire still could pose a threat,” Salt Lake Tribune, June 19, 2020.
[ https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/06/29/all-evacuees-can-return ]
“Wildfire updates: 4 wildfires near Lehi, Saratoga Springs, Millard and Washington counties,” June 28, 2020.
“1 home destroyed, 12 damaged as Knolls Fire grows to 10,000 acres; thousands still under evacuation in Saratoga Springs,”
(Justin Reeves via AP) The Traverse Fire burns near homes in Lehi, Sunday, June 28, 2020. Officials say fireworks caused the wildfire and forced evacuations early Sunday morning.”SL Tribune.
[ https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/06/28/draper-lehi-residents/
“Chapel with fire in background,” Salt Lake Tribune,
[ii] Ksl.com aerial survey of wildfire