Heather, Dad and I left Utah County this morning en route to Mesquite Nevada for our annual trip to San Diego. When we got to the Fillmore area we could see the smoke and could tell that the fire was a bad one.

As we traveled further south, we could see firefighters in the Northbound lanes standing by their trucks. It seemed as though they were there to protect I-15, but the flames were still a ways away to the West - not very close to the freeway.

As we continued South, the flames got closer and closer to the freeway and the wind was ferocious. We knew that eventually it would be right up against the freeway and we were a bit nervous. Eventually we came up on the hill right before dropping down into the Cove Fort area and there and the we could see the flames at the top of the ridge were shooting nearly 50 feet into the air and were right against the freeway - we knew that there was no way that we could pass.

Shortly afterwards we saw a set of headlights coming the opposite direction of our side of the freeway. What little traffic was left began to part and people pulled off to the side. Vehicles began driving into the median and up to the elevated northbound side of the freeway. Thankfully we have 4-wheel drive and made the turn OK. We wondered how some cars and semi trucks were ever going to make it.

We made our way back to the North and were eventually stopped by the same firefighters we passed coming down. To the left we could see the motorcycle that had been mangled in the accident along with about six other cars that were involved in a horrible pileup. The passengers of the cars had walked across the median and were standing by firefighters in the northbound lanes.

We noticed that up ahead the flames had jumped the southbound lanes and was now raging in the median. With the fire behind us and the fire ahead, we honestly wondered if we would make it out alive. Eventually the firefighters put out the blaze in the median and we were allowed to continue North. At this point, we were pretty sure that we would be safe, but thought for sure that those involved in the accident would have a good chance of being burned alive.

After a few miles, visibility dropped to practically zero and we slowed to a crawl. I can see how the smoke was the cause of such a horrible accident.

All in all it was a horrible experience - but one that will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those that have been displaced by this terrible fire, and I give thanks to the firefighters, paramedics, UHP officers, and other authorities that risked their lives today. Thank you.