KSL INVESTIGATES

KSL Investigates: Vital Tool Helping Fight Future Wildfires

Apr 28, 2021, 10:12 PM | Updated: Jun 19, 2022, 9:57 pm

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — It’s only April and more than 155 wildfires have already scorched the drought-ridden parts of Utah.

Kaitlin Webb, the statewide prevention and fire communications coordinator for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands said 98% of those fires were human-caused.

“Only three of those have been natural cause,” she explained.

It’s a troubling continuation of last year’s record for human-caused fires: 77% of nearly 1,500 blazes started from things like sparking equipment, target shooting and fireworks.

Almost all of Utah is in a severe drought, which means wildfire officials are on alert and preparing for what could be a busy and dangerous fire season.

“As far as fire danger and our concern for that potential for wildfires, it’s statewide this year,” said Webb.

Aside from hoses and helicopters, Utah has another powerful tool to stop the flames: a map of fires from 1999 through 2020.

“Historical fire data is something that we rely on for pretty much everything that we do in some capacity,” explained Webb.

By mapping previous fires, they can better prevent future fires.

“If we’re seeing consistent fires in the same area,” said Webb, “we can take a look at what’s causing them. That gives us a platform to start problem-solving, figuring out how to prevent those in the future.”

Aside from tracking trends, Webb said they can look back at this historical data to help them fight current fires and figure out where they might have already laid suppression lines.

“We can take a look at the past and see how fire moved through an area, and that can guide our suppression tactics in the present, how the vegetation is there, so you know how to react. You’ve seen fire move through that area before, so you know the most effective way to suppress it,” she said.

If a wildfire sparks in an area without historic fires, Webb said that could mean big, dangerous fires like the Dollar Ridge Fire.

“If an area hasn’t seen wildfire in a long time, or there hasn’t been any sort of mitigation efforts in that area, fuel loading is a big factor,” she said. “If we have really thick, dense vegetation, fire is often going to burn at a much higher intensity in that area.”

Remote areas and inaccessible areas can also contribute to bigger, harder-to-control blazes.

Webb elaborated that in some spots where there are multiple fires over multiple years, people’s behaviors seem to have the biggest impact.

“You’ll sometimes see a lot of little fires in a certain area, and that probably has a lot to do with recreational activities or human influence in that area,” she said.

That includes hot spots like Stansbury Island, which has had 17 fires over the last two decades. It’s an area popular for target shooting.

The Tabby Canyon Fire sparked from an exploding target last year and burned nearly 7,000 acres.

Other areas that show overlapping historic fire data include the west side of Utah Lake near Saratoga Springs, and east of Santaquin, where the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires ravaged more than 100,000 acres in 2018.

Webb said factors like fuel load, weather and people all affect those hot spots. The latter, Webb said, is the biggest key to prevention this summer.

“The public needs to engage and play their part in terms of fire prevention and making sure that we’re reducing the total number of sites we have,” Webb said. “We can have a direct influence on how busy our wildfire season is.”

When it comes to preparing resources for fire season, Webb said priority goes to areas where there would be the most potential for loss of lives and real property.

Fire season doesn’t officially start until June 1 in Utah, but the state has already seen its first red flag warning, indicating the potential for a busy summer for wildland firefighters.


Have you experienced something you think just isn’t right? The KSL Investigators want to help. Submit your tip at investigates@ksl.com or 385-707-6153 so we can get working for you.

KSL 5 TV Live

KSL Investigates

Matt Gephardt meeting with Denis Hawkins after a rental car company after they ignored his calls fo...

Matt Gephardt

Get Gephardt helps Spanish Fork man clear up insurance claim for rental car damage

Get Gephardt clears up an international rental car insurance standstill.

6 hours ago

FILE - An airplane flies through the clouds in Salt Lake City. (Jeffrey D. Allred / Deseret News)...

Matt Gephardt

How recent airline incidents are changing habits and impacting airfare costs

After a year of headlines lamenting runway incursions and midair close calls, the wheels may be coming off for the airline industry. Literally.

1 day ago

Josh Kochevar died unexpectedly last month. The unhappy task of writing the obituary fell to his ol...

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage

How scammers are using counterfeit obituaries to profit off deaths of loved ones

You have probably heard of stories where an empty home was burglarized while everyone was attending a funeral service. Or stories about thieves breaking into cars parked at a funeral. Now, artificial intelligence has opened a new way for crooks to capitalize on grief.

2 days ago

A person scanning a recently generated QR code....

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage, KSL TV

How to protect yourself from fake QR codes scammers use to steal money and info

Here's what you need to know about QR codes and protecting yourself from scammers.

6 days ago

General view outside of the Delta Center ahead of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on March 19,...

Matt Gephardt

NCAA Tournament basketball is coming to Salt Lake and so are the ticket scams

As March Madness excitement ramps up, so do the odds of buying pricey tickets to tournament games that turn out to be fakes or non-existent.

7 days ago

About a year ago, the KSL Investigators went under the hood of some "connected" smart cars to see w...

Matt Gephardt

Internet-connected cars may share driver info with insurance companies, what it means for premiums

some internet-connected vehicles are sharing our driving habits with our insurance companies

8 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

KSL Investigates: Vital Tool Helping Fight Future Wildfires