The 320-acre fire, which was reported about 1 a.m. Friday and burned on the mountain on the east side of Bountiful and Centerville, destroyed three homes, damaged five more, and prompted the evacuation of about 400 homes. No injuries were reported.
Investigators believe the fire started with an abandoned campfire in Ward Canyon, said Forest Service spokeswoman Kim Osborn. Police continued to search for two people who reportedly drove away in a small SUV, leaving the campfire burning behind them.
South Davis Fire also posted on Facebook that the Forest Service’s “initial report is that the fire did not burn deep enough into the earth” to create a risk of mudslides, adding that “they will give us an updated report once their teams have completed their evaluation.