Utah fire chief seriously burned during live-fire training

CEDAR CITY, Utah — The Cedar City community is rallying around Fire Chief Mike Phillips, who was seriously burned during a Sept. 16 live-fire exercise.

Phillips reportedly sustained burns to his face and arm when jet fuel ignited prematurely during a live-fire drill. He is being treated at the University of Utah Hospital and is expected to remain hospitalized for several weeks.

| READ NEXT: 4 steps to safe, realistic live-fire training

“A little spark fell into the jet fuel, and that ignited prematurely,” Cedar City Mayor Garth Green told KSL TV. “It burned him rather severely.”

Interim Fire Chief Mike Shurtz said Phillips is optimistic about his recovery.

“He’s doing super good. Even through all of this, he’s saying, ‘I’ll be out of the hospital in about three to four weeks,’” Shurtz said. “He’s always been optimistic, and I believe he’ll prove us right.”

Phillips faces multiple surgeries, including arm skin grafts, St. George News reported.

Further details have not been released while the incident is under investigation.

Trending

Firefighter Cancer

FCSN launches campaign for firefighter-specific cancer screening guidelines

The campaign, “The Sacrifice Didn’t End on 9/11,” runs through Sept. 30 and coincides with the 25-year remembrance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks

September 04, 2026 01:10 PM

Labor and Union Issues

Kan. firefighters’ union warns staffing shortages threaten public safety

IAFF Local 64 is urging Wyandotte County officials to prioritize existing public safety funding for Kansas City Fire Department staffing as commissioners prepare the 2027 budget

September 04, 2026 08:14 AM

Fire-based EMS

Wis. FD adds 10th ambulance to meet rising EMS demand

Madison’s Medic 1 will operate from downtown Fire Station 1, where nearly 3,800 EMS calls last year were handled by ambulances responding from other stations

September 04, 2026 08:06 AM

September 11, 2001

Pa. firefighters mark 25 years of supporting Flight 93 families

Shanksville firefighters who responded to the Flight 93 crash on 9/11 have spent the past 25 years opening their firehouse to the victims’ families and preserving a bond forged in tragedy

September 04, 2026 08:30 AM

Company News

National Volunteer Fire Council

Volunteer fire departments awarded grants, fundraising kits through 2026 Nutella Stacks for Giving Back program

$50,000 in grants awarded through a partnership between Nutella, Pearl Milling Company and NVFC

August 10, 2026 01:57 PM