On the east bench above Fruit Heights, what used to be a quiet stretch of foothill is turning into a late-night hangout with a serious fire risk. Neighbors near the end of Rock Loft Ridge Drive say kids and teenagers are dragging junk furniture up the slope, lighting bonfires in brushy areas, and leaving the mess behind, all while summer gets hotter and drier.
They describe the hillside as increasingly trashed, with piles of discarded items scattered near makeshift fire pits. One resident told the leftovers were couches, apparently a trampoline, and said open flames are being lit right in the middle of the brush, according to FOX13. Neighbors worry that the combination of garbage and dry fuel could turn a careless spark into the next big wildfire.
City Steps Up Patrols And Posts New Warnings
Fruit Heights officials say they are not waiting to see what happens. The city has asked the Davis County Sheriff's Office for extra patrols in the area, and residents report seeing deputies driving the hill on recent nights. City Manager Darren Frandsen said officials will place signs across the city sometime next week to remind everyone of the fire ordinance currently in place.
Locals are hoping the stepped-up presence will be enough to break up the late-night gatherings and, if a fire does start, give crews a chance to spot it early before it races up or down the hill.
What Fruit Heights Law Says
According to a draft update to city rules posted by Fruit Heights City, unauthorized outdoor burning on the east bench is banned from June 1 through Oct. 15. The draft also blocks most residents from burning household waste on their property.
Recreational fires are not completely off the table, but the draft code lays out strict conditions. Fires must be in a controlled firepit, kept a safe distance from homes and vegetation, and closely attended. If conditions get sketchy, the fire is supposed to be put out immediately.
The city's public safety bulletin notes that Fruit Heights contracts with the Davis County Sheriff's Office and the Kaysville Fire Department for emergency response, and it lists non-emergency numbers residents can use to report suspicious activity. That bulletin is available on the city website.
Why Neighbors Are Alarmed
People who have lived in Fruit Heights for years do not need much convincing about wildfire risk. In September 2019, the Francis Fire, started by lightning, burned hundreds of acres above the city and triggered mandatory evacuations for nearby neighborhoods. It left a visible scar on the hillside that residents still point to when the topic of fire comes up.
Coverage by Deseret News documented the evacuations and the burn area, which many locals now see as a permanent reminder of how quickly flames on the bench can threaten homes and force families to leave with little notice.
How To Report And Avoid Trouble
Officials are clear on one point. If you see an active fire, call 911. If you spot suspicious open burning or signs that someone is setting up an illegal bonfire, they want it reported to the Davis County Sheriff's non-emergency line instead.
Fruit Heights public safety materials list the non-emergency number as 801-451-4150, and the Kaysville Fire Department at 801-544-2860. The city also reminds residents that open flames on Forest Service land are off-limits year-round.
Neighbors say a few simple moves could prevent a very avoidable disaster this summer: hauling away the dumped debris, having frank talks with teens about wildfire danger, and keeping those emergency numbers close at hand, especially on hot, windy nights when a small bonfire can turn into a major problem in just a few minutes.
