SALT LAKE CITY — Multiple Utah counties have been placed under a State of Emergency by Gov. Spencer Cox due to concerns over drought conditions.
The governor issued the declarations for 17 counties on Thursday following recommendations from the state's Drought Response Committee. As of Thursday, 42 percent of the state is under severe drought conditions.
A relatively dry winter season across much of Utah is causing much of the drought worries. According to the governor's office, the state's snowpack peaked at 14.3 percent late last month, which is equal to the state's annual peak. However, southwestern Utah's snowpack was only 44 percent of normal.
Parts of Utah in 'extreme' drought conditions after two great water years:
“We’ve been monitoring drought conditions closely, and unfortunately, our streamflow forecasts are low, particularly in southern Utah,” said Cox in a statement. “I urge all Utahns to be extremely mindful of their water use and find every possible way to conserve. Water conservation is critical for Utah’s future.”
Utah Drought
Wheels in motion to prep for dangerous Utah wildfire season
The State of Emergency declarations are issued to allow county officials to prepare for severe drought.
Counties under a State of Emergency include:
- Beaver
- Carbon
- Emery
- Garfield
- Grand
- Iron
- Juab
- Kane
- Millard
- Piute
- San Juan
- Sanpete
- Sevier
- Tooele
- Uintah
- Washington
- Wayne
A State of Emergency hasn't been declared for drought in the state since 2022 when nearly all of Utah was experiencing severe conditions. As FOX 13 News reported earlier this month, plans by a drought task force to enact a drought declaration were tripped up when it was discovered the Utah legislature's laws passed in response to the COVID pandemic would also impact this.
The governor will still have to return to the Utah legislature and ask them to extend the drought emergency every 30 days.
“Drought usually means drier fuel, and dry fuels are easy to ignite,” said Karl Hunt, the public information officer for Utah’s Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. “We had a couple years of reprieve with the good snowpack”
Now, for 17 Utah county wardens facing this state of emergency like Dan Walton, the consequences could be serious.
“This year, we’re not going to have quite as much time to get there before that fire gets large,” said Walton, who’s served as Tooele County Fire Warden since 2016.
The emergency is largely facing central and southern Utah, but in Tooele County, he says their desert terrain fuels concern.
“Last year, we hit 180 fire calls throughout the year,” Walton said. “We have a little bit more of a sandy soil that tends not to hold moisture quite as long”
Walton says it’s all about preparation for his fire crews county-wide.
“Pre-season planning, getting out into the communities, talking to people, looking at where there’s wildfire risk,” said Walton.
State fire officials say they had a 93 percent catch rate a year ago.
“And that was keeping the wildfires that did start in the state under 10 acres,” Hunt said.
Rainy skies brought some relief in Tooele Thursday night, but the drier season is approaching.
“Out here, we’re even more volatile - just one little spark in the grass,” Walton said.
These officials say everyone needs to have a good fire sense.
“Properly extinguish your campfire,” said Karl Hunt. “Not lighting fireworks on public lands. Target shooting - make sure your background’s clear so you’re not up against dry grass.”
