The Iron Fire, July 4 preview, federal housing funds, and more

Howdy Neighbor! Colten here.

Is it just me, or did it get really cold yesterday? And today it’s expected to reach a high of mid-70s. Kind of a nice change from the blistering 90s. But don’t worry, those warm blooded folks will get their wish by mid week.

Let’s see what we’ve got going on this week.

WILDFIRE & FIRE SEASONCopy a link to this section#

Here's where the fires stand as of Sunday, June 29:

Iron Fire (Juab/Utah/Tooele Counties) — 40,881 acres, 57% contained as of Sunday afternoon. Eureka residents were allowed to return home Thursday after days of mandatory evacuation. Chimney Rock Pass remains under a mandatory evacuation order. No structures were lost in Eureka. Firefighting resources are now shifting to the Cherry Fire.

Cherry Fire (Juab/Tooele Counties) — 30,766 acres, 0% contained. This is now the primary active fire concern in the region, burning roughly 40–45 miles southwest of Eagle Mountain. The Vernon area remains under mandatory evacuation. Crews used Sunday's cooler conditions to begin establishing containment lines.

Cottonwood Fire (Beaver/Piute Counties) — 92,254 acres, 0% contained. More than 100 miles south of Eagle Mountain, but currently the largest active wildfire in the United States. It is contributing to the statewide smoke conditions and stretching firefighting resources across Utah.

On Saturday, June 27, three firefighters were killed in a burnover incident at the Colorado-Utah border. Their loss is a reminder of the extraordinary conditions crews are working in across the region.

Eagle Mountain is not under evacuation and none of these fires pose a direct threat to the city. The most immediate local impacts are air quality and fire restrictions. For real-time fire updates, visit utahfireinfo.gov. To sign up for Eagle Mountain emergency alerts, visit here.

CIVIC HIGHLIGHTSCopy a link to this section#

Federal funding is headed to Eagle Mountain — and residents can shape how it's spent.Copy a link to this section#

Starting Tuesday, July 1, the city is accepting public comments on its proposed plan for the 2026 Community Development Block Grant program. CDBG is federal funding that cities use for housing, infrastructure, and community services — with a focus on projects that benefit lower- and moderate-income residents.

Eagle Mountain has approximately $466,979 available this year, combining a new federal allocation with prior-year resources. The city's proposed breakdown:

• Housing Preservation and Development: $200,000

• Public Facilities and Infrastructure: $180,879

• Program Administration: $49,200

• Public Services: $36,900

All amounts are estimates pending federal approval.

Comments are open July 1 through August 4. A public hearing will be held during the August 4 City Council meeting at 7 PM at City Hall. Send questions or written comments to Affordable Housing Coordinator Kiara Polee at [email protected], or using the city’s public comments page.

Full details at eaglemountain.gov.

Tuesday, July 7 City Council MeetingCopy a link to this section#

The next City Council meeting is Tuesday, July 7 — a work session at 4 PM and a policy session at 7 PM. The agenda had not been published before this issue went out. I'll watch the meeting and have a full update in Thursday's Valueletter. The agenda will be posted at the CivicClerk portal when available.

LOCAL SPOTLIGHTCopy a link to this section#

When I have car troubles, I give David Calderon at B4L Automotive Repair a call.

What makes David different from a typical mechanic is that he comes to you. As a mobile mechanic based in Eagle Mountain, he handles repairs at your home or wherever your vehicle is. For anyone who has tried to juggle dropping off a car while managing a commute, that convenience matters.

I trust David because he's honest, transparent, and mindful of what repairs actually cost. Sixty Google reviews at 5.0 stars suggest I'm not alone.

If your vehicle needs attention, reach David by phone or text at 385-212-5937. Learn more here.

THIS WEEKCopy a link to this section#

Tuesday, June 30 — Walden Park Summer Storytime
The Eagle Mountain Public Library's storytime series continues Tuesday morning at Walden Park Pavilion, 4437 Frontier St. Drop in anytime from 10:15 to 10:45 AM. Free, no registration required.

Wednesday, July 1 — Seniors Arts, Crafts & Lunch
The Eagle Mountain Senior Center hosts its weekly arts and crafts program Wednesday morning, 10 AM to 12 PM, at 1632 E. Heritage Dr. Free, drop-in.

Thursday, July 2 — Cory B. Wride Fun
The weekly Food Truck Rally runs 6–9 PM in the east parking lot. That same evening at 7 PM, the Community Services Board hosts a Reading of the Declaration of Independence at the large pavilion. Both events are free.

Worth the DriveCopy a link to this section#

Monday, June 29 — Summer Monday Fundays: Celebrate America
Saratoga Springs kicks off the holiday week tonight at Neptune Park, starting at 6 PM. The lineup includes the Vocal Motion children's choir, a 23rd Army Band concert, birthday cake, and more. Fireworks were originally part of the plan — check saratogasprings-ut.gov for the latest given the statewide ban. Free.

Wednesday, July 1 — Playdate in the Park: Splash & Play Bash
Friends of Herriman is hosting a free outdoor family morning event at the Columbus Center, 13011 S Pioneer St, Herriman, from 10 AM to noon. Details here.

JULY 4 PREVIEWCopy a link to this section#

Eagle Mountain's Independence Day celebration is still on — fireworks included. Personal fireworks are banned citywide through July 5, but the city's professional show is not affected.

Thursday, July 2Copy a link to this section#

• Declaration of Independence Reading — Cory B. Wride large pavilion, 7 PM, free

Saturday, July 4 — Cory B. Wride Memorial ParkCopy a link to this section#

• Farmers Market — 9 AM–1 PM, then back 8–10 PM with vendors, food, and a live DJ

• Kids Patriotic Parade — 8:30 PM; decorate your bike, scooter, or wagon and join the loop around the park

• Independence Day Fireworks — 8 PM, professionally managed, synchronized to music, free

Worth the drive this July 4 weekend:Copy a link to this section#

• By the Dawn's Early Light Flag Ceremony — Grove Creek Canyon Trailhead, Pleasant Grove, Sat Jul 4, 7:30 AM; giant flag unfurled at dawn, free

• Thanksgiving Point Freedom Celebration — Electric Park, Lehi, Sat Jul 4, gates 4 PM, fireworks 10 PM synchronized to 93.3 The Bull FM, free

• Saratoga Springs Patriot Park Fireworks — Patriot Park, Sat Jul 4, ~10 PM, live music and food trucks

• Riverton Town Days — Riverton City Park, Fri Jul 3–Sat Jul 4; parade Fri 6:30 PM, concert Sat 7:30 PM, fireworks Sat 10 PM, free

COMMUNITY RESOURCESCopy a link to this section#

• Utah Food Bank summer meals — Nolen Park (10:30–11:30 AM) and Cory B. Wride (12:30–1:30 PM), Monday–Friday through August 7. No service Thursday, July 3.

• Boys and Girls Club meals — Now active at Utah County locations as of Sunday, June 29.

• Utility Assistance Program — 50% credit on utility bills, up to $75/month for up to three months, for households at or below 80% of area median income. Applications are open.

LOOKING AHEADCopy a link to this section#

• Mon Jul 6 — Summer Monday Fundays: Lonely Hearts Club Beatles Tribute Band, 7:30 PM, Neptune Park, Saratoga Springs — saratogasprings-ut.gov

• Thu Jul 9 — Dessert with the Dean, John Hancock Charter School, 5:30–7:30 PM, Cory B. Wride pavilion — johnhancockcs.org

• Thu Jul 9 — Food Truck Rally, 6–9 PM, Cory B. Wride (runs every Thursday through August) — eaglemountain.gov

• Fri Jul 10 — Movie in the Park: National Treasure, Silverlake Amphitheater, 9 PM — eaglemountain.gov

  

• Sat Jul 11 — Farmers Market, Cory B. Wride, 9 AM–1 PM — eaglemountainfarmersmarket.org

• Sat Jul 25 — Summer Bash and Laser Show, Cory B. Wride — eaglemountain.gov

• Sat Aug 1, 6–8 PM — Back to School Night, Cory B. Wride — eaglemountain.gov

• Thu Aug 6, 6 PM — Truth-in-Taxation hearing, City Hall — eaglemountain.gov

• Tue Aug 18, 7 PM — Final property tax budget vote, City Hall — eaglemountain.gov

That’s it for today. Sending all the positive vibes and energy your way so you can have a good day.

See you around,

— Colten