Wasatch County fire staff report Soldier Creek cabin loss, update station construction and temporary shelter order

At the March 12 Wasatch County Fire Protection Special Service District meeting, fire department staff reported a total-loss cabin fire in the Soldier Creek/Strawberry area and gave a multi-topic construction update.

"We did have a fairly significant fire out in the Soldier Creek area," a department representative told the board, saying Chief Jason Provost responded and that arson and fire-investigation personnel were on scene. The speaker said the structure was unoccupied and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. Staff said the cause remains under investigation.

The department also reported recent training activity, including extrication training and a session with the Utah Fire Marshals Association and arson investigators. The speaker said training resources had been redirected so investigators could return early to the scene.

On construction, staff said the new station's CMU apparatus-bay walls are up and framing of the living quarters and administrative spaces will begin soon. "Starting on Thursday, we will be getting the framing crew in there and you'll start to see framing and going vertical on the actual fire station living quarters, administrative offices, and community center," the department representative said. The report noted ongoing underground work and that monthly construction payouts have been "a little over a half million".

The board also discussed a temporary membrane shelter the district ordered for Station 56. Staff said the district contracted with Alaska Structures for a 20-by-40 structure (about 24 feet high) and raised the structure's snow-load rating to meet local requirements, increasing the price from a roughly $75,000 ballpark to $88,000. "The cost of that structure only of $88,000," the staff member said. The vendor's production time was described as about five weeks; staff said they expected delivery around May 1 and plan to pour a concrete pad for a multi-year placement.

The staff member described choices for heating and noted the structure is modular and relocatable. They also said discussions are underway with local developers about future relocation once permanent site work is complete.

The department invited board members to visit the site once framing and block work progress warrants a tour.

The meeting record shows no formal action or vote tied to procurement of the membrane structure during this session; the board discussed the purchase and prior direction to staff.