UPDATED MONDAY 8/1/22 6:34 p.m.
UTAH COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – A man has been arrested for the wildfire growing east of Springville after he allegedly told police he was using a lighter to burn a spider.
Fire personnel said when they first got to the fire around 5 p.m. Monday, they saw a man walking his dog up in the mountain where the fire had started.
According to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, Cory Allan Martin, 26, told law enforcement that he was using a lighter to burn a spider. Martin said he started the fire by accident, setting some brush on fire.
“Not sure exactly why he felt the need to need to have to burn the spider but you know, all the regret in the world doesn’t change the outcome based on whatever reason there was for him doing that, said Utah County Sergeant Spencer Cannon.
Sgt. Cannon says he’s still scratching his head over the incident.
The fire is currently at 90 percent containment.
Following his arrest, deputies found marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Martin was booked into Utah County Jail and is facing a drug possession charge and a reckless burning charge — which carries up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $2,500 dollars.
ORIGINAL STORY: Wildfire growing into Utah County, several agencies on scene
UTAH COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – A wildfire that started in Springville has now spread to parts of Utah County according to the Provo Fire Department.
According to Captain Sam Armstrong of Provo Fire, officials were called about a “mountain side fire” around 4:43 p.m. The fire is now called the Wildland Fire.
The Wildland Fire is being pushed by wind and initially started in Springville, but is now being taken over by Utah County Fire.
Utah County Fire, Springville Fire, Mapleton Fire, two Provo Fire Stations, and Spooter and Tank Drop helicopter.
The cause of the fire is unknow, but it is actively growing about half a mile from its initial starting point.
