Utah is facing potentially dangerous wildfire conditions following a period of scant rainfall, meager winter snows, and a dry, warm spring, according to a September 24 report by Visit Utah.
Chris Delaney, the state fire management officer for Bureau of Land Management Utah, stated that current conditions are similar to what is typically seen at the end of August during the height of fire season.
Human activity is a primary driver of wildfires in the state. By early June 2021, more than 300 wildfires had sparked across Utah since the start of that year, with 90 percent of those being human-caused.
To mitigate risks, Adventure Responsibly suggests using propane stoves or battery-operated flicker candles as alternatives to real flames. For those building campfires, officials recommend using a permanently designated fire pit at a developed camp or picnic site and ensuring a bucket of water and a shovel are available. Campfires should not be built when winds reach 20 miles per hour or greater.
Vehicle maintenance is another critical factor in wildfire prevention. Travelers should ensure car tires are properly inflated to avoid throwing sparks, avoid driving or parking on dry vegetation, and ensure RV or trailer hitch chains do not drag or hit the ground. Chris Delaney noted that dragging trailer chains have been known to start fires spanning 20 miles of roadway.
Additionally, those using ATVs or motorcycles in the backcountry should strap a fire extinguisher to their rig. For firearm enthusiasts, officials suggest using designated public or private shooting ranges, such as the Utah DWR’s Lee Kay Shooting Range in Salt Lake City or the Cache Valley Public Shooting Range in Logan, rather than shooting in the backcountry where ricochet sparks can ignite dry grasses.
Fire risk is influenced by weather and resource availability. Jennifer Hansen, a fire education specialist with Utah’s Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, noted that high, very high, or extreme fire danger ratings increase the likelihood of wildfires and mean that resources to fight them are spread very thin.
Kaitlyn Webb, the Utah Division of State Lands prevention and fire communications coordinator, advised travelers to check weather conditions, forecasts, and fire restrictions, and to ensure vehicles are in good working order before heading out.
For real-time information, including active fires, statewide restrictions, and air quality forecasts, the public can visit utahfireinfo.gov. To report a wildfire, call 911.
In the event of a wildfire in a remote location, contact one of the following Interagency Fire Centers:
Northern Utah Interagency Fire Center: (801) 495-7611
Central Utah Interagency Fire Center: (435) 896-8404
Uintah Basin Interagency Fire Center: (435) 789-7021
Moab Interagency Fire Center: (435) 259-1850
Southern Utah’s Color Country Fire Center: (435) 865-4611
