Utah weather conditions trigger historic red flag warning as wildfires rage across the state

The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City issued a red flag warning Friday morning as emergency workers continued to battle one of the state’s largest wildfires in its history. The red flag warning, issued when critical fire warnings are occurring or imminent, was to be in place through midnight Saturday. “This is the FIRST Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning issued in NWS Salt Lake City history. This is an exceptionally rare event,” the federal agency said in its warning. A map of the area under the warning covered much of central and southwest Utah, with an area of the southwest, central and southern mountains also outlined as “particularly dangerous red flag.” The particularly dangerous area includes the Cottonwood Fire, near the town of Beaver, which started Monday and had grown to covering nearly 72,000 acres by late Friday. The fire forced some evacuations and put residents on alert. The NWS warned that gusty winds and dry conditions would lead to rapid fire growth. Utah also was dealing with the Iron Fire, which started June 19, and nearly destroyed the town of Eureka. The fire covered about 40,600 acres and was about 38% contained late Friday. Friday afternoon, Utah fire officials reported new fires in central west Utah, in Juab County and Millard County. The Juab County Sheriff’s Office said late Friday that residents of Eureka, Mammoth and Silver City were required to evacuate immediately as crews battled the Iron and Cherry fires. Electric service had also been turned off to Eureka, a town of about 700, officials said. Other fires were being reported as the day progressed. Shifting winds caused what was called the Cove Fort Fire, which officials thought was contained, to flare up. The fire, renamed the Sulphurdale Fire is near a geothermal power plant, officials said. The fire was growing and threatening travel on Interstate 70, according to state fire officials. Drought is exacerbating the red flag conditions after Utah experienced its lowest-ever snowpack this year. A spring heat wave in March started an earlier-than-usual runoff. The fire danger led Utah Gov. Spencer Cox to issue executive order restricting fireworks statewide during the July 4 holiday, which marks the nation’s 250th birthday this year. The ban is in effect through July 5. “Nothing about this decision was easy,” Cox said in a statement issued by his office Thursday. “This is unlike anything we’ve seen in recent memory. We’re seeing fires spread farther and faster under conditions that defy historical expectations” Jamie Barnes, Utah state forester and director of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, added in the statement. Cox allowed cities and local communities to set aside areas where fireworks could be safely used. The city of Provo announced it would enforce a citywide prohibition on fireworks and would not designate a safe area for fireworks. “This year is different,” Provo Mayor Marsha Judkins said in a statement. “The wildfire danger facing our community is real, and protecting lives, homes, and our natural spaces must come first.”