A dark cloud has settled over Utah. Ash has begun dusting the streets, smoke hangs in the air and the sun glows an eerie orange. It's fire season in Utah.
Utah has faced exceptionally hazardous conditions this summer. The recent statewide fireworks ban underscores this grim reality.
“Utah is experiencing one of the most severe wildfire seasons in recent history, fueled by historic drought conditions,” Jamie Barnes, State Forester, said when announcing the ban.
As fires flare across the state, Utahns play a critical part in preventing human-caused wildfires. Although conditions change year to year, the responsibility residents bear has not.
Nearly 85% of all wildfires are human-caused, and most are preventable. Karl Hunt, the public affairs officer for the Utah Division of Forestry, explained this issue.
"A simple spark can start a wildfire,” Hunt said.
Provo Deputy Fire Marshal Jeanie Atherton explained that most wildfires can be prevented with proper precautions.
“(Wildfires) are associated with unattended or improperly extinguished campfires, people that discard cigarettes, people using equipment that don't have spark arresters … or vehicles parked on dry grass or have bad electrical that can cause sparks," Atherton said.
Fire officials say it is more crucial now than ever that Utahns understand how easily everyday activities can ignite a forest fire.
“I think people just don't realize that one little ember that gets out of a campfire can… float away and land 20 feet from camp and then all of a sudden there's a huge fire,” Atherton said.
This year in particular, even a simple spark can spell devastation.
“We're currently in a Red Flag Warning, which means we have high heat, wind and low humidity. Those three things are a trifecta for causing wildfires to grow and take off very rapidly,” Atherton said.
After an unusually dry winter, conditions are precarious. Fuel moisture is extremely low, meaning vegetation is incredibly receptive to fire. April Hulet, associate professor of plant and wildlife sciences at BYU, said that decades of fire suppression has allowed dead vegetation to build up, leaving fuel for wildfires.
“We're in a situation in a lot of the United States that we removed fire from our system, and probably for legitimate reasons at the time, but that caused us to have a lot of fuels now,” she said.
Hulet said a general knowledge of this vegetation would help residents be more aware of their actions. She said it was essential for each Utahn to ask themselves what they could do to mitigate wildfire risks.
Additionally, Hulet drew attention to the shift in Utah’s fire season.
“Our fire season's shifting; we burn a lot earlier than we traditionally did. Even 10 years ago, we would burn maybe the end of July into August, and then it would get cold in September,” she said.
As a result, Hulet said residents must acknowledge how large the burn window is.
"Let's be smart about the way we use our public lands and our private lands," Hulet said.
Officials have repeatedly emphasized the importance of learning proper wildfire prevention practices, especially during seasons of high fire danger.
“Recreate responsibly,” Hunt said. “Properly maintain your vehicles. If you're towing a trailer, make sure that your vehicle is ready to take the weight so you're not overheating your vehicle. If you're out target shooting, make sure you're shooting an appropriate backstop and not at rocks or dry grass.”
Atherton also emphasized how most fires can be prevented.
“The other thing is that people don't prepare,” she said.
Hunt stated that many campers are not properly prepared to manage and extinguish their campfires.
“We usually say douse, stir with a shovel, check for heat and repeat. And don't leave that fire until it's cool to the touch,” Hunt said.
Education and communication are also essential to wildfire prevention.
“Word of mouth really helps us,” Atherton said.
Educating those who are unaware of preventive measures can help stop wildfires before they start.
Atherton also encouraged Utah residents to keep their local fire departments informed.
“If you see something, say something,” she said.
According to Hulet, wildfire prevention starts long before smoke fills the air.