Several small fires burning near Interstate 215 on Thursday were knocked down before they could reach the highway or nearby brush, thanks to a Salt Lake City resident who kept calling 911 as he drove. Maurice “Moe” Egan said he first noticed a fire on Indiana Avenue on his way to work and continued to report new hot spots as he moved along, giving crews time to get into position. Authorities are treating the incidents as suspicious and say investigators are following up on leads.
According to FOX 13, Egan was heading back to his job at The Other Side Village when he called 911 about a small fire just east of the I-215/Indiana Avenue interchange. While he was still on the phone, he spotted more flames under the freeway. He also gave police a description of a possible suspect, and dispatchers used his updates to get firefighters out to multiple scenes quickly.
“Because of his actions, we were able to get there quickly and put a stop to something that could have become much, much worse,” Salt Lake City Police Chief of Staff Glen Mills said. Egan put it bluntly: “If we see something, we say something,” he told FOX 13.
Why Quick Calls Matter In A Tinderbox Summer
The incidents come as the valley is already dealing with fast-moving brush and grass fires. In June, a blaze near Ensign Peak burned roughly 30 acres and forced temporary evacuations, a stark reminder of how fast flames can threaten neighborhoods and roads. As reported by KSL, fire crews and air resources have been stretched across the valley this season.
Local coverage and city updates have warned that hot, dry stretches and gusty winds make roadside and highway-adjacent fires especially risky, and officials keep urging residents to stay alert to smoke or unusual activity. The searing heat and whipping winds have pushed fire danger higher across the Wasatch Front this summer, as per Hoodline.
Egan is a familiar figure on the west side. He serves as director of recruitment at The Other Side Village and runs local bus and food tours, roles that keep him on city streets and paying attention to his surroundings. Background reporting by Utah Business and The Other Side Village’s team page notes his community work and outreach ties.
Legal Stakes
If investigators determine the blazes were set intentionally, the conduct could lead to felony arson charges under state law. Utah’s criminal code defines intentionally setting fires that damage another person’s property as a punishable offense. See the state statute for details. Utah Code 76-6-102.
Salt Lake City police and fire officials have thanked the citizen who reported the fires and reminded neighbors that timely tips can change outcomes. Anyone with information about the Indiana Avenue incidents is urged to call 911 or submit a confidential tip through Salt Lake County’s reporting portal. Salt Lake County Emergency Management maintains guidance on reporting suspicious activity.
