Human-caused fires below average for July, officials thankful to public
Jul 21, 2021, 5:30 AM
Firefighters spray water on wildfire. (Photo was not taken in Utah. Photo credit: Getty Images)
(Photo was not taken in Utah. Photo credit: Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — The number of grassfires, brushfires, and wildfires is above average in 2021, but the number of human-caused fires across Utah is below average (so far) for the month of July, according to the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands.
It appears pleas for caution from state officials are working and Utahns are being responsible.
“I think people are taking it seriously,” said Jason Curry with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands.
“I think that they are being extra careful this year because of the drought …. and it’s really bad.”
Officials thank the Utah public for attention to fire safety
The 10-year average for human-caused fires for the week of July 12-18 is 31, but Curry says there were only 22 this year. The average is 40 for the week prior, July 5-11, but there were 24. State and local leaders were quick to thank Utahns for the low number of firework-related fires over the July 4 holiday weekend.
“Ever since the end of June, we really went down as far as our human-caused starts,” said Curry. “The overall trendline and this number of starts was lower for the last three weeks than in 2019 or 2020.”
Thanks for using #FireSense & following restrictions last weekend Utah, it paid off! We had a few firework-related starts but no large human-caused fires 👏
Less fire starts last week than in 2020, 2019 & our 10-yr average, let’s keep this positive trend going. #PreventWildfires pic.twitter.com/t75arl7K6Q
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 8, 2021
Fire restrictions in Utah for holiday weekend
There are a number of fire restrictions across Utah as we head into the Pioneer Day holiday weekend. Curry hopes we keep the ball rolling.
“We’re asking people just to keep up the good work in terms of preventing fires. People are being more careful with everything they’re doing out there; working, traveling, recreating, and they’re using Fire Sense.”
All state & unincorporated private lands in Box Elder, Cache, Rich, Weber, Morgan, Davis, Tooele, Salt Lake and Utah counties enter Stage II Restrictions at 12:01 am on July 21, 2021. Open fires of any kind are prohibited.
Detailed Restriction Order: https://t.co/hXcS8B2C1b
1/3 pic.twitter.com/Cy71p1lJKG— Utah FFSL (@UtahFFSL) July 20, 2021
Utahns can legally light fireworks from July 22-26. A full list of restrictions can be found here.
