Utah officials on high alert for fire danger, ask residents to be, too

SALT LAKE CITY — Red flag warnings are in place for a majority of Utah as high temperatures and dry conditions add to fire danger concerns. 

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for most of central Utah as well as the southwest corner of the state.

On Monday afternoon, the Monroe Canyon fire burning in central Utah near Richfield and Monroe was the largest fire in Utah. It has burned more than 61,000 acres and is 13% contained according to Utah Fire Info.

A community meeting to update residents on the Monroe Canyon Fire will be held Monday night at 7:30 p.m. in the Sorenson Administration Building on the Snow College campus.

Humidity and fire in Utah

Along with high temperatures and little recent precipitation, KSL Meteorologist Matt Johnson said another problem is humidity. On Monday, the state registered in single-digit humidity levels. That means foliage, grass, and wood are drier than usual and have more potential to catch on fire.

“We could see gusts of 35 plus, and of course, the hot temperatures across the state are going to help fires that are already existing,” Johnson said.

Open flames banned in Utah

The state is  still under stage 2 fire restrictions, meaning you can’t have open flames outside at all. 

If a fire does start, those winds can pick up a spark and continue to spread it in multiple directions.

“The forecast calls for winds to remain elevated in southern and central Utah. We talking about daily afternoon [wind] gusts to at least 30 [mph] every day, with some days [reaching] 40 to 45,” Johnson said.

Utah is generally considered to be a low-humidity environment, defined as below 30% relative humidity on average. But a lack of humidity, especially when humidity numbers are in the single digits, can suck the moisture out of grass and wood creating perfect fuel for fire.

Contributing: Simone Seikaly

Related: Utah Firewatch