When flames swept through the Willow Glen Apartments in Millcreek in July, the fire exposed how quickly a small spark can become a destructive blaze. Fueled by dry grass and wind, the fire destroyed two apartment buildings, displaced nearly 80 residents, and forced a region-wide emergency response.

 Salt Lake City investigators later determined the fire began when a mower blade struck a rock on city-owned land, igniting grass that exceeded local weed-control codes. Maintenance crews initially tried to fight the blaze with handheld extinguishers before calling 911, a delay that allowed the fire to spread to nearby structures.

The charred remains of Willow Glen Apartment complex is all that remains after a wildfire spread from nearby. (Shaun Delliskave/City Journals)

The fire erupted just over Murray’s border, and Murray’s fire crews were among the first to respond. Murray City Fire Chief Joseph Mittelman said the incident underscored the importance of cooperation across city lines. “The recent Millcreek fire at the Willow Glen Apartments quickly advanced before dispatch and arrival of the response units, and the combined efforts on both the apartment fire and the adjacent wildland fire were crucial to successful suppression,” Mittelman said.

According to Mittelman, Murray is well-positioned to respond to similar fast-moving incidents. The city staffs three fire stations daily, with at least 15 firefighter-paramedics on duty. Each station houses a structural fire apparatus, an ambulance and a wildland brush truck. Crews respond with the most appropriate equipment, and contingency plans cover stations when units are dispatched elsewhere. “We follow established response models supported by ongoing training and certifications across both Murray Fire and our neighboring agencies,” Mittelman explained. “A shared dispatch center ensures that the most appropriate resources are deployed quickly for each emergency.” Monthly training with surrounding departments as part of the Salt Lake Valley Fire Alliance, he said, ensures coordination and integration of best practices.

While Murray’s wildland fire risk is lower than in foothill communities, Mittelman pointed to specific vulnerabilities. “Given our geography—particularly the Jordan River Parkway, the power line corridor, and highway corridors—the greatest risks we face typically fall into three categories,” he said. Those risks include vehicle hazards such as sparks from dragging chains or mechanical failures, open flames from unapproved backyard fires or illegal campfires, and fireworks use near dry vegetation.

 These concerns have precedent. A brush fire was reported near the interchange of Interstate 15 and Interstate 215 in Murray, a reminder that freeway embankments and right-of-way lands can ignite quickly and carry fire toward nearby neighborhoods.

In additions to two apartment buildings, the Willow Glen parking structure was a loss too. (Shaun Delliskave/City Journals)

For some residents, utility maintenance offers reassurance. Mark Muszynski, who lives near the large power corridor in western Murray, said he feels secure because of the upkeep. “Rocky Mountain Power keeps the grass cut in the field, and there are no trees in the field by me,” Muszynski said. “So there isn't a lot of fuel to burn that would cause a lot of damage.” Muszynski said fireworks in the corridor have not been an issue, though he has watched neighbors set them off nearby. 

For apartment managers and homeowners, Mittelman urged prevention as the best defense. “Maintain defensible space—keep grass, weeds and brush mowed or trimmed back from buildings, fences and parking areas,” he advised. He added that residents should create at least 30 feet of clear space around structures, avoid storing combustibles like firewood near homes, and use fire-resistant landscaping. Outdoor equipment such as grills and fire pits should only be used in approved areas away from vegetation. Fireworks and open flame restrictions should be enforced, and fire lanes and hydrants kept clear.

Murray City relies on a combination of education and code enforcement to address weed growth and neglected properties. “Most residents respond quickly once they’re aware of an issue,” Mittelman said. “When needed, we also have weed and property maintenance ordinances that give us enforcement tools. Our approach is to educate first, enforce when necessary.”

The Willow Glen fire was deemed accidental, and the investigation was closed without further action. But for communities across the Salt Lake Valley, it remains a case study in how quickly grassfires can escalate in urban settings. For Murray, the takeaways include the value of regional partnerships, the need for ongoing vigilance along corridors and parkways, and the importance of property-level maintenance. The chief summed up the challenge: “Even in a city with limited wildland interface, vigilance, education and enforcement are essential to keeping Murray safe.”