Fire crews are managing to keep most wildfires small this year

SALT LAKE CITY — Fire crews are managing to keep most wildfires below 10 acres this year. Utahns continue the trend of responsibly handling fires, according to state officials. 

Out of 881 wildfires so far this year only 470 were human-caused. That is an improvement from 2020, where there were more than 1,000 at the same point. Around 750 were caused by humans. 

“In 2019, we had 588 [wildfires] with 382 of those being human-caused,” says Kayli Yardley with the Utah Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands. 

Check out today’s Wildfire Wednesday 8-11-21

or view it on YouTube here:

https://t.co/9gUEm2dsYZ#FireSense #WildfirePrevention #UtahWildfires #fireseason2021 pic.twitter.com/dwzaB5UbCR

— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) August 11, 2021

Fire crews deserve a pat on the back

While Utahns are doing their part, Yardley said firefighters are doing theirs. With a few exceptions they have managed to prevent the fires from growing out of control. 

“We are still sitting at 92% for all wildfires being caught to 10 acres or less,” Yardley says. 

With a few months left in the year for wildfires to start, the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands is urging everyone to check fire conditions before starting a campfire. 

Properly putting out a campfire is a skill every Utahn should know, so here’s prehistory’s premier fire expert to show you exactly how it’s done so we can all prevent wildfires. #FireSense #FireYear2021 #WildfirePrevention pic.twitter.com/SsYBkEoptH

— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) August 10, 2021