Several Fires Break Out Across Utah Over Easter Weekend
Apr 4, 2021, 11:25 PM | Updated: Jul 12, 2023, 12:07 am
TOOELE, Utah — Wildfire season got off to an early start in Utah. Due to extremely dry conditions around the state, the first red flag warning of the season was issued, which means the risk of fire danger was listed as “concerning.”
Crews from the North Tooele Fire District were out fighting a wildfire in Tooele County Sunday afternoon. Officials said the Little Pass Fire grew to 4,000 acres in just a few hours.
Chopper 5 captured video of the fire around the time it started. Officials said the fire was 70% contained and not threatening any structures Sunday night.
Crews planned to work well into the night to try and contain the fire.
Fire authorities were investigating an official cause, but said the flames were “definitely human-caused.”
The Little Pass Fire was one of the first wildfires of what could be an extremely busy season, officials said. Dry conditions and high temperatures across the state often lead to multiple wildfires.
A wildfire also broke out alongside the highway in Duchesne County Sunday afternoon, burning several acres.
Firefighters in Logan also got another grass fire under control before it spread to vehicles.
Wildfires in Utah aren’t uncommon, but officials said it’s rare to see them so early.
“It’s super dry and we’re starting off really dry after what was kind of an underperforming winter for both rain and snow,” said meteorologist Jon Wilson with the National Weather Service.
On top of that, Utah saw its first red flag warning of the season for the western Uintah Basin.
Meteorologists said that makes the risk of fire danger higher than normal.
“It’s obviously dry outside, but on top of that, we’re expecting winds to pick up during the day tomorrow, and also, the relative humidity will be very low. With those conditions, any fire that gets going can really get out of control,” said Wilson.
While it may be the first red flag warning this year, Wilson said it definitely won’t be the last.
About 90% of the state was under the category of extreme or exceptional drought – the worst it gets, officials said.
“It’s a bad thing really no matter what,” said Wilson. “It’s not good for anything to be that dry.”
