6 new fires spark in 24 hours as danger levels reach high - extreme in Utah
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KUTV) — Officials on Monday reported six new wildfires started in Utah within the last 24 hours.
Crews have knocked down most of the new incidents, and the fires are either extinguished or fully contained.
However, there are larger fires that have been burning for days or weeks, and authorities are working to ensure a new start doesn't grow into an active, large wildfire.
Even with some morning showers, most of the Wasatch Front was in a high fire danger risk zone on Monday.
According to Utah Fire Info, fires can "easily start from most causes" in areas designated as high risk. Authorities noted that unattended brush fires and campfires are "likely to escape," and the fires can spread rapidly.
The majority of the state was classified as high risk following a weekend of red flag warnings and multiple wildfires. However, the areas along the eastern, southern and southwest borders were all at very high or extreme risk levels.
In the very high zones, "fires start easily from all causes and immediately after ignition, spread rapidly and increase quickly in density," according to the Utah Department of Natural Resources.
For the areas in extreme fire danger risk, authorities say all fires are potentially serious.
Crews tackle flames started by vehicle fire that spread to wildland in Juab County
"... Fires start quickly, spread furiously, and burn intensely," according to the DNR's incident map. "It is often too dangerous for firefighters to engage with direct attack suppression tactics."
Only a portion of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest was at a low risk level to start the week.
Active Wildfires Burning in Utah
All wildfire information according to utahfireinfo.gov and Utah DNR
CYPRUS FIRE
- Start date: June 17
- Location: Salt Lake County
- Size at last report: 235 acres
- Containment: 85%
- Cause: Under investigation
DALTON WASH FIRE
- Start date: June 9
- Location: Washington County
- Size at last report: 378 acres
- Containment: 90%
- Cause: Human - vehicle rollover
LAKESHORE FIRE
- Start date: June 17
- Location: Tooele County
- Size at last report: 400 acres
- Containment: 100%
- Cause: Under investigation
LEFT FORK FIRE
- Start date: May 9
- Location: Kane County
- Size at last report: 2,600 - 3,000 acres
- Containment: 5%
- Cause: Human
