ST. GEORGE, Utah, May 9, 2023 (Gephardt Daily) — Police say onlookers caused problems Tuesday afternoon as a large fire burned near the Virgin River.
The fire burned about 40 acres near 2500 E. Waters Edge, just south of the Virgin River, and threatened more than 100 structures before it was contained Tuesday evening, officials said.
Fire officials announced 100% containment about 8 p.m. No structures were lost and no injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, officials said.
While crews worked to contain the fire, St. George police officer Tiffany Mitchell went live on Facebook about 3:30 p.m. to urge onlookers to stay away.
“We know that these kinds of things can be exciting and they can be kind of cool to see, but I’ve seen people while I’ve been here on their phones videoing while they’re driving,” Mitchell said. “We have tons and tons of people that are coming down into this area to try and get a look at what’s going on.”
Mitchell said keeping people out of the area is “taking resources and our time and efforts.”
“Please, please, please, for the love, don’t come down here,” she said. “Stay out. Stay away. If you want a video, go up high somewhere out of the way. But for the love, please do not come down [and] congest the area where we’re trying to have firemen, police [and] EMS.”
Mitchell also reminds motorists that using a camera while driving is against the law.
“And specifically when you’re driving, that is never a time to be filming anything,” she said. “Nothing is worth you being on your phone. It’s against the law to be using your camera while behind the wheel.”
Gephardt Daily will update this story as more information becomes available.
