Commentary: What I learned about humanity as a fire raged through my tiny Utah town

Fifty-foot flames leapt across 5,421-plus acres within a quarter mile of homes. The tiny town of Portage, Utah, population 267, was held hostage as the fire raged for four days.The Town Hall and city park became command central for volunteer and professional fire fighters from nearby towns, Box Elder County and as far away as Arizona. The comfortable routine of up-with-the-cows, and off to work on the farm or nearby towns, then quiet suppers with family and neighbors, was superseded by the noise