Utah’s Wildfire Crisis: A Call for Caution

This week, Utah Governor Spencer Cox expressed serious concerns about what he described as one of the most active wildfire seasons in recent memory, attributing the majority of these fires to human activity. “We’re seeing exactly the extreme fire behavior that we wanted to warn that it was very likely,” he noted during a press conference aired on PBS Utah on Thursday.

The governor shared his distress over the fact that 72% of the wildfires currently raging in Utah have been caused by people. He elaborated on how strong winds combined with hot, dry conditions have led to significant destruction, resulting in thousands of acres burned across the state.

For instance, he discussed the Deer Creek fire, which has grown dangerously large—about 15,000 acres—south of Moab, describing “strength enough to tip over heavy equipment, tear the roof, and unpredictably spread the flames.” He also highlighted similar destructive fires in Sevier County, near St. George, and a nearly 35,000-acre incident near Blythe Canyon National Park.

Although the overall number of wildfires—571 this year compared to 576 last year—seems consistent, Cox emphasized that “the ground conditions have deteriorated and the fires are behaving very differently.” Last year, he explained, the soil retained much more moisture, which helped limit fire activity. The robust snowpacks from two consecutive winters encouraged growth of grass and brush that are now fueling the flames, he said.

“Tinder dry landscape means that every spark is more likely to become a big, fast-moving wildfire,” Cox remarked. He urged Utah residents to exercise common sense by avoiding actions like leaving campfires unattended or shooting in dry areas. The governor also stressed the importance of clearing brush around forest cabins to create defensible spaces.

Cox acknowledged some past mismanagement in forest areas but insisted that bad decisions made over the decades aren’t the only factors contributing to the current crisis. “Climate change is certainly part of that,” he stated, adding that regardless of beliefs about its causes, “it is changing, and we have to adapt to it.”

One of the key strategies he mentioned for adapting is the use of prescribed burns in forests, noting some positive actions taken during both the Trump and Biden administrations.

However, with wildfires continuing to devastate the state, the governor pointed out that water usage has increased and reservoir levels fell by 10% in June. Currently, the reservoirs are at 77% capacity, slightly above normal, but they are “depleting at above-average speeds,” which is concerning.

“It’s okay to have yellow grass this year,” Cox commented, adding that residents might need to adjust their expectations and maintain their lawns in a more sustainable manner. He also referenced a June declaration for statewide prayer and fasting for rain, reflecting his deep faith as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, though he emphasized that prayer alone isn’t sufficient.

“We need faith and prayer, but we need people to reduce their water usage,” he concluded.