Utah is currently managing six active wildfires as the fire season intensifies. While the Bonneville Fire has reached significant containment, the Iron and Cottonwood Fires have expanded to approximately 37,000 and 60,000 acres, respectively.
Environmental factors driving fire risk
Philip Dennison, professor and chair of the University of Utah’s School of Environment, Society & Sustainability, notes that drought and high temperatures have made vegetation particularly susceptible to burning this summer.
According to Dennison, many fires this year follow a pattern where human activity causes ignitions in dry grass. Under high winds, these fires can move quickly through grasses and sagebrush toward denser fuels.
Common causes of accidental ignitions
Common activities that pose risks for accidental ignition include mowing or driving over dry vegetation, dragging trailer chains, backyard burning, campfires, fireworks, and target shooting. These risks are especially heightened during periods of high winds.
Impact of seasonal weather patterns
Conditions in Utah have been shaped by a dry winter and hot spring temperatures. While the winter provided enough precipitation to promote grass growth, the presence of dead vegetation from previous years has created significant fine fuels. Low relative humidity and heat have further dried these materials, making them highly flammable.
Comparing current season to past years
Dennison compares this season's early start to notable past fire years, such as 2007 and 2012. He noted that the Cottonwood Fire in Fishlake National Forest is the first major forest fire of the season, a timing similar to the 2012 Seeley Fire.
Future outlook and elevation concerns
The outlook for Utah and the Western United States remains difficult. Dennison expressed particular concern for higher elevation forests due to low snowpack from the recent winter. He stated that fire danger will likely remain high across the entire state through early fall unless monsoon rains arrive.
Strategies for wildfire risk reduction
To reduce wildfire risk, Dennison emphasizes the importance of reducing human-caused ignitions. Additionally, he suggests that reseeding areas like the Bonneville Fire scar can help prevent the invasion of fire-prone species such as cheatgrass.
