Salt Lake’s high of 103 breaks record set in 1940, fire warnings and heat advisories continue

SALT LAKE CITY — Record-breaking temperatures were forecast for much of Utah Thursday, leading to dangerous heat and fire warnings across the state.

And around 2:44 p.m., the daily record was broken according to the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City.

So far, the temperature has risen to 103°F, breaking the daily record of 101°F set in 1940. #utwx

— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) June 19, 2025

Brush fires were reported in northern Utah Thursday morning. Utah Fire Info said the conditions constituted critical fire weather, and much of Utah was under a red flag warning.

The Salt Lake City International Airport reached 100 degrees at 1:50 p.m. — the first triple-digit temperature in Salt Lake City so far in 2025.

Highs along the Wasatch Front were expected to reach 102 degrees by Thursday afternoon. St. George could see up to 107.

The National Weather Service issued excessive heat warnings, saying “hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses, especially in those without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration.”

Tooele brush fire

Jon Smith with the North Tooele Fire District said multiple agencies were responding to a fire in the area of 250 South Coleman Street.

BREAKING: A fire was reported in Tooele that appeared to have sparked in a dry brush and was quickly heading for nearby structures. Crews are responding, and have said its progression has now stopped.

KSL TV’s #firewatch will continue: https://t.co/B0oakSroaQ pic.twitter.com/Dbn5R1YmXu

— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) June 19, 2025

Utah Fire Info said the fire was “on the edge of Tooele’s city limits.” It said the fire was 7.7 acres and threatened structures, but crews had stopped the fire’s progression.

In an update just after noon Thursday, Utah Fire Info said the fire was 100% contained at 7.7 acres.

“Four outbuildings were destroyed by the fire. There were no injuries,” Utah Fire Info said. “The fire is under investigation, but it has been determined to be human-caused.”

State Route 201 fire

Crews also responded to a fire burning through short grass in the area of state Route 201 and 11500 West Thursday morning.

Kelly Bird with the Unified Fire Authority said firefighters got there at approximately 9:00 a.m. She said the fire grew to about 5 acres before crews were able to put it out.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

Forsyth Fire

The Forsyth Fire at around 7 p.m. on Pine Valley Mountain in Washington County. According to Utah Fire Info, the fire is northwest of St. George. It is estimated to be 50 to 100 acers in size.

New 🔥 Start: #ForsythFire is located in Washington Co. NW of St. George in the Pine Valley Area in the wilderness area. The fire is estimated at 50-100 acres and is driven by the wind. Aviation resources are on scene. #ffslkth pic.twitter.com/It4xWWEmax

— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) June 20, 2025

Utah Fire Info posted to X that the fire “spotted” a new fire 1/4 of a mile outside of Pine Valley, a census-designated area. The area is under a mandatory evacuation order.

#ForsythFire update: The fire spotted a new fire 1/4 mile outside Pine Valley. Pine Valley is now under mandatory evacuation orders. #ffslkth pic.twitter.com/w4JGmRzG7y

— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) June 20, 2025

Record-breaking heat

The Wasatch front braced for highs above 100 degrees Thursday, which would be the first day of 2025 that triple digits would be endured.

If Thursday’s forecasted high for Salt Lake City — a blistering 102 degrees — came to pass, it would break the previous record high for June 19, set in 1940 at 101 degrees. Data from the National Weather Service shows the average high for the day is 85 degrees.

The highest June temperature recorded in Salt Lake City’s history was 107 degrees on June 15, 2021. That same year also set a record for the earliest triple-digit day in the city, with a temperature of 100 degrees on June 4.

Fire restrictions

Utah fire officials are reminding people not light fireworks, especially Thursday with a red flag warning in effect.

“We’re prone to possibly starting fires from fireworks,” said Kelly Bird, public information officer with Unified Fire Authority. “We’re having some super dry conditions, right now we’re getting pretty elevated temperatures.”

Under current Utah law, fireworks can be sold:

• June 24 to July 25,
• December 29 to December 31,
• and two days before, and on, Chinese New Years.

Under the current code, fireworks can be legally lit from:

• 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 2 through July 5, and until midnight on the July 4;
• 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 22 through July 25, and until midnight on the 24th;
• 11 a.m. on December 31 until 1 a.m. January 1; and
• 11 a.m. on the eve of Chinese New Year until 1 a.m. the following day.

Lighting fireworks outside of those times, or in areas that implement further restrictions is illegal. And during hot summer months, Bird said they could cause a wildfire.

“It’s as simple as everybody doing their part to contribute to the overall safety of our communities, and this is just one way that we can all do that,” Bird told KSL NewsRadio.

If you’re caught illegally shooting off fireworks, you could face fines of up to $1,000. Those fines are potentially much more if you cause a wildfire.

Southern Utah is under more strict fire restrictions than the Wasatch Front. But officials warn northern Utah still has the ingredients for a dangerous wildfire.

Because of this, Bird urges Utahns to avoid things that could cause a fire like:

• parking your car over dry grass,
• dragging chains or other loads behind your vehicle,
• leaving grills unattended, or
• leaving camp fires unattended.

Cooling centers

Salt Lake County officials opened their cooling centers on Thursday.  These are free air-conditioned public spaces like libraries, senior centers, or a homeless services provider.

County officials say those are most risk are aging adults.

These centers will be open all summer during regular business hours, which should cover the hottest parts of the day. A map of cooling center locations is available on the Salt Lake County Government website.

Since Thursday is a federal holiday Salt Lake County libraries and senior centers are closed, but the Salt Lake City public libraries are still open.

Heat-related illness

Those who work or exercise on hot days may be at risk for heat exhaustion or heat stroke. And the two are different.

Some symptoms of heat exhaustion include muscle cramping, fatigue, headache, nausea or vomiting, and dizziness or fainting.

If a person is suffering from heat stroke, their body may be red and hot, and they’re not sweating. Someone with heatstroke may have a rapid pulse, a throbbing headache, and dizziness.

Symptoms of heat stroke also include confusion. And heat stroke can lead to unconsciousness.