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.
The CPSE Center for Innovation’s newest Strategic Scan found that 68% of surveyed chiefs expect data centers to change fire department planning
November 07, 2026 09:52 PM
·
Hialeah firefighters approved compounded raises of 15.6% over two years, falling well short of the union’s initial 27% demand and trailing the police union’s contract, as the department continues losing personnel
November 08, 2026 08:00 AM
Selma Fire and Rescue’s Capt. Aeneas Pettway, who served the department for 27 years as fire investigator and inspector is remembered by colleagues for his unwavering commitment and positive attitude
November 09, 2026 07:25 AM
Sterling Heights, chosen as one of three sites nationwide for the FEMA-funded Cooking Fire Prevention Toolkit Initiative, is installing temperature-limiting stove technology at Fieldstone Apartments to address cooking fires, the leading cause of home fires in America
November 08, 2026 12:00 PM
By addressing station air quality through multiple layers of protection, departments can support firefighter health and strengthen their overall cancer prevention efforts
October 22, 2026 12:26 PM
