The Town of Alta issued a public advisory on July 8, 2026, warning residents and business owners to prepare for wildfire risks and the increased likelihood of both intermittent and extended power outages as Utah enters an active fire season.
Wildfire Mitigation Strategies
In a news notice released Wednesday, town officials stated that Utah is currently experiencing one of its most active and destructive fire seasons to $\text{date}$. The advisory noted that the community is still early in the season, but recent events have demonstrated how wildfire risks can coincide with electrical service disruptions.
Reflecting on experiences from the previous weekend, the Town of Alta emphasized that as the summer heat intensifies, the risk of both wildfires and power outages remains a significant concern for the local community.
Evacuation and Safety Planning
To mitigate wildfire threats, the town recommended that residents clean roofs and gutters of pine needles, dry leaves, and other flammable debris. Officials also urged community members to create defensible space around their homes and strictly obey all current fire restrictions.
As part of its ongoing maintenance efforts, the town noted that Chipper Days are currently scheduled for September 16 and 17. Residents were reminded that the use of fireworks is illegal within the Town of Alta and encouraged to use tools like Fire Sense to monitor local conditions.
Managing Power Outages
The advisory detailed specific steps for evacuation readiness, including the creation of a 'go-bag' containing essential supplies. The town advised residents to develop and practice a family communication plan and to ensure they know how to manually shut off gas, electricity, and water utilities.
Transportation preparedness was also highlighted, with officials recommending that drivers keep their vehicle fuel tanks at least half-full during periods of high risk.
Emergency Food and Supplies
Regarding electrical disruptions, the town advised residents to add contact numbers for both electrical power and natural gas companies to their emergency contact lists. To maintain communication during outages, officials suggested keeping flashlights, batteries, and emergency mobile phone chargers in easily accessible areas.
For those relying on electricity, the notice recommended securing power backups for any life-saving electronic medical equipment and considering the purchase of a backup electric generator, provided that residents also stock up on necessary fuel.
Additional Resources
The town further advised community members to create contingency plans to prevent perishable food from spoiling during outages. This includes stocking up on bottled water and non-perishable, calorie-dense foods that do not require cooking.
Residents were also encouraged to sign up for real-time outage alerts from Rocky Mountain Power to stay informed of local service interruptions.
