Challenging, exhausting 24 hours for residents evacuated near the Sandhurst Fire

SALT LAKE CITY — The Sandhurst Fire, which ignited Saturday near Ensign Peak, has prompted mandatory evacuation orders for several nearby homes.

Forty homes are still under that order Sunday evening as crews continue to fight the fire around the clock.

Sandhurst Fire smaller than originally projected, no structure damage to homes reported

Residents of the affected neighborhood have endured a challenging and exhausting 24 hours. Roger Hobbs, a local resident who was told to evacuate says he was watching KSL TV Saturday when meteorologist Kristen Van Dyke first spotted the fire on trail cameras.

“I ran out of the house and thought, ‘That’s my backyard,’” Hobbs said, describing the immediate panic he felt. “It’s scary to death up here.”

Not their first close call

Hobbs also added that this is the eighth or ninth time his home has been threatened by fire.

As the flames intensified, Hobbs and his neighbors were placed under mandatory evacuation orders.

“My wife got the hose out, did the roofs, packed the bags, and we were ready to go,” he said.

While watching the fire from a safe distance, Hobbs and his neighbors anxiously awaited updates.

“Thank God it moved west,” he said. “They were with us, standing there worried about their houses, so high fives were happening when retardant was getting dropped in a good spot.”

Read the rest of the story from KSL TV here.