Remote-controlled aircraft in question after model jet causes 'freak accident' wildfire

Flying restrictions on remote-controlled aircraft are in question while Utah remains in a severe drought. A model jet aircraft crashed into a power line in western Weber County on Monday and burned up almost 55 acres. Officials called the "8800 West Fire" a "freak accident." "The fire was caused by a remote control airplane that hit one of the power lines behind us and caused a grass fire. When crews initially arrived on scene, they made it about a half of an acre," said Captain Richard Cooper, a wildland duty officer with the Weber Fire District. Due to issues with access and lack of water in the area, it quickly spread to 54.9 acres. "How often is it that you see a fire started from a remote controlled airplane like this hitting a power line?" 2News asked. "At 31 years in the fire service and the bulk of a wildland, this is my first," Cooper said. "Does it raise concerns for you at all that this field is so close to power lines now?" "You know, anything can happen. We can have a grass fire started by a thousand different things. And it was just a freak accident that occurred yesterday. It was not a deliberate act. It was just a wind event or lost control of the aircraft," Cooper said. "Can this person be held liable for anything, or would they be facing any kind of thing like that?" "Yeah. There's no criminal charges, if that's what you're asking. No. If it does go, it would be a civil thing," Cooper explained. The field west of Plain City is specifically for the Northern Utah Radio Controlled Aircraft Club to fly model planes. The treasurer of the Northern Utah RC Aircraft Club, John Larsson, told 2News it was a model jet that crashed there. "I also know that they were very prepared with fire extinguishers," Larsson said. "Does this happen often at this field where the remote controlled airplane will hit a power line?" 2News asked. "No, no, that doesn't happen very often at all," Larsson said. Others in the RC aircraft community told 2News they're worried about the optics of this wildfire. "It's concerning because it makes the hobby look bad if something like that happens. I think that generally when something like that happens... planes are not being operated and flown safely. So, you know, that's concerning to us. We do everything we can to fly safely and to protect everyone," said Darin Peirce, president of the Utah Valley Aeromodelers located in Saratoga Springs. Peirce told 2News the FAA oversees model aviation across the U.S. "If all is said and done by the rules, are you able to pretty safely fly in these conditions?" 2News asked. "Yes, we feel very good that if the AMA safety code is followed... it's generally very safe. And the risk of this kind of thing is, is very low," Peirce said. State fire officials warn that this goes to show how dry it is out there. "It's really important that people know that they have an impact on wildfires that can start in the state," said Karl Hunt, public affairs officer with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands. "If we can limit those human-caused wildfires, it goes a long way in helping our firefighters in what could be a long wildfire summer." Officials told 2News the fire mostly spread eastward. Challenges included wind and access, but the railroad helped stop it. _____