Daily News: Nine northern Utah counties to begin implementing fire restrictions

Here is your summary of the daily news for Monday July 1. In this edition:

Fire restrictions to go into effect in nine northern Utah counties

Fire restrictions will be implemented in nine northern Utah counties starting July 1.

Utah Department of Natural Resources officials announced Sunday that “all private and unincorporated state lands in Box Elder, Cache, Rich, Weber, Tooele, Utah, Salt Lake, Davis and Morgan counties” will be subject to Level 1 fire restrictions.

Officials added that “incorporated towns and villages are not included.”

The first stage fire restrictions were specified as follows:

• “No open fire of any kind except in public facilities established in improved campgrounds or picnic areas. -OR- In permanently constructed fire pits in private homes where running water is present .
• Smoking, except inside a closed vehicle, trailer or building, on a developed recreational site or when stopped in a paved area or free of dry vegetation.
• Discharge or use fireworks, tracer munitions or other pyrotechnic devices, including exploding targets.
• Cutting, welding or grinding metal in areas of dry vegetation.
• Operating a motorcycle, chainsaw, ATV, or other small internal combustion engine without an approved and functioning spark arrestor.

For more information, visit the Utah Fire Info website.

Red Flag Warning Issued by Southwest Utah Fire Department

A red flag warning has been issued for southwest Utah by the state fire department.

The red alert means that weather conditions have created a dangerous fire risk in certain areas, making the wildfire risk very high. Authorities say the alert will be active from Sunday until around midnight Tuesday.

The National Weather Service is predicting wind gusts of up to 35 mph and minimum humidity levels “less than 10 percent” — weather indicators that add to the danger.

The affected area extends from southern Utah County to the Nevada and Arizona borders. From the western border, the danger zone extends to approximately the Capitol Reef National Park area.

At the time of the warning, fire crews had been battling a fire, known as the Little Twist Fire, near Fishlake National Forest in Beaver County for more than two weeks. The Little Twist Fire has burned 2,600 acres in steep, rugged terrain and is located at the edge of the warning area.

Authorities announced that some areas near the fire were closed to help 254 firefighters battle the blaze. Additionally, smoke will continue to be visible in the area for several weeks, including from I-15, I-70, US 89 and US 20.

New wildfire reported in southern Utah

Utah Fire Info reported the start of a new wildfire Sunday in southern Utah.

The Central Fire is burning 10 to 15 acres in the town of Central in Washington County. Agencies from across the county are responding to the scene with air support. Utah Fire Info also reported that structures are threatened by the fire.

For a time on Sunday, residents in the area were under an evacuation notice. However, the Washington County Sheriff's Office lifted the advisory shortly after 7 p.m.

“Fire crews will still be in the area working and we ask that everyone be patient with them and give them space to work,” the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said.

One home was affected by the fire. The American Red Cross of Utah has contacted residents to offer assistance.

Earlier Sunday, the Red Cross set up an evacuation center in Veyo at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 176 E. Center Street. The Red Cross provided water and snacks. It also had supplies to handle overnight stays, if necessary.

On Sunday night, Utah Fire Info said the fire started on private property. Crews have stopped the fire's progress, but are experiencing high winds. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Utah reservoirs are at normal or above normal levels

The Utah Division of Water Resources reports the state's reservoirs are 92% full, about 20% higher than average and 17% higher than the same time a year ago. The state also reports that 88% of streams are flowing at normal or above normal levels.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service's June water supply report shows statewide storage is at its highest level in at least 15 years.

Watersheds across the state are at or near capacity, including in the northern tip of the state. As of June 27, Willard Bay in Box Elder County was 99% full, while Bear Lake and Newton Reservoir were both 83% full. Hyrum and Porcupine reservoirs in Cache County were at 91% and 89% capacity.

In northern Utah, although much of the water is siphoned off for agricultural purposes before reaching the Great Salt Lake, the lake still saw a notable net increase. The water division reports the lake level has risen 6 feet since falling to a historic low in late 2022, citing efforts by the state Legislature as well as an executive order from the governor's office to raise the berm separating the northern and southern parts of the lake, which resulted in more water being channeled toward its southern end.