Latest news with #DeerCreekFire
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Climate
- Washington Post
Watch a rare fire tornado touch down in Utah
Utah isn't exactly known for tornadoes. Since 2000, only two significant tornadoes had hit the Beehive State. But that changed last weekend, when a rare fire tornado brought destructive winds up to 122 mph. The tornado touched down at 1:03 p.m. and lasted 12 minutes. It didn't travel far — only about 200 yards — and mostly hovered in place. But its ferocity added another layer to an already-damaging wildfire that had been burning since the afternoon of July 10. The Deer Creek Fire, located north of Old La Sal in rural southeast Utah, had torched more than 15,800 acres as of Friday — and has hopped the border into western Colorado.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Monsoonal storms helping Utah firefighters, but dry conditions in the forecast
Firefighters are taking advantage of help from Mother Nature as they look to quell several wildfires still burning across Utah. Monsoonal storms returned to the state over the last few days, producing isolated showers that have conveniently parked over some of the firefighting operations. About 0.72 inches of rain fell over the Forsyth Fire in northern Washington County on Thursday, while 0.20 inches of rain fell on Monroe Mountain on Wednesday, followed by 0.25 to 0.63 inches of rain in the Fish Lake and Cove Fort areas, all close to the Monroe Canyon Fire. That's helped slow down fire activity, giving firefighters an upper hand after weeks of hot, dry and windy conditions. Crews began establishing direct fire lines in parts of the Monroe Canyon Fire in recent days, aided by 'cooler, wetter weather conditions,' according to the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team overseeing operations. While the fire remained 0% contained on Friday, its size remained at 8,646 acres, similar to what was reported on Wednesday. Forsyth Fire growth was 'minimal' on Thursday because of the thunderstorm, federal firefighters added in an update of the fire. It is now 84% contained after burning 15,662 acres. Cloud cover and cooler temperatures also helped firefighters make 'good progress' on the Deer Creek Fire burning in San Juan County and southwest Colorado. It has burned 15,819 acres, but is now 11% contained. 'We are fortunate that the monsoonal moisture did hit our larger fires, and is helping us out,' Kelly Wickens, public information officer for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, told on Friday. In addition to rain, Wickens points out that monsoons provide cooler weather that helps 'moderate' fire behavior. That gives firefighters a better chance to increase fire suppression efforts and carry out activities, such as digging containment lines to control the fire's growth. All of these can move faster because the fire isn't spreading as quickly. Monsoonal moisture to linger More isolated showers are expected on Friday across the state as a high-pressure system over the Texas panhandle and a low-pressure system off the Pacific Coast near the California-Mexico border help pump oceanic moisture into the Southwest, including Utah, said KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson. Storms will likely start in the mountains before moving into the valleys, especially by Friday afternoon. Clouds over the Wasatch Front Friday morning could lower the potential of storms bubbling up in the area, he said. Johnson said more scattered showers are possible Saturday and Sunday, especially in southern Utah. It's unclear how productive any of the storms will be because it depends on how much moisture remains in the atmosphere and where a storm sets up, which is one of the challenges of forecasting monsoons. 'It just depends. It's hard for models to resolve exactly where these storms might land,' Johnson said, adding that Thursday's totals provide an example of how productive the storms can be. Monsoons can pose some problems, too. A flash flood warning was issued in the Pine Valley area on Thursday over potential debris flows from the fire's burn scar. Flash flooding is possible again in slot canyons, dry washes and recent burn scars over the next few days, the National Weather Service advises. Storms may also produce lightning that can start new fires. Drier conditions on deck The additional moisture could be short-lived, though. Hot and dry conditions are forecast to return to the state by early next week. Long-range models indicate that monsoonal moisture could be 'spotty' through the rest of July, state officials noted earlier this week. That's why firefighters are racing to take advantage of monsoon benefits while they still can. 'It can definitely heat back up, and we'll be right in the same situation that we were before the monsoonal moisture,' Wickens said. Solve the daily Crossword
The Hill
4 days ago
- Climate
- The Hill
Utah governor warns wildfires are worse than last year — and most are human-caused
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) warned this week that his state is enduring one of the most active fire seasons in recent memory — and that humans have been responsible for most of the blazes. 'We're seeing exactly the kind of extreme fire behavior we hoped that we would not but warned was very likely,' Cox said during his monthly news conference, aired Thursday on PBS Utah. The governor expressed distress at the fact that 72 percent of the multiple wildfires raging across Utah this season have been caused by humans. The fires, fueled by strong winds and hot, dry weather, have scorched thousands of acres statewide, he noted. For example, Cox described a 'firenado' that was 'strong enough to flip heavy equipment, rip roofs off and spread flames unpredictably' stemming from the 15,000-acre Deer Creek Fire south of Moab. He also detailed similarly catastrophic blazes in Sevier County in Central Utah, near St. George in the southwestern corner of the state and an almost 35,000-acre incident near Bryce Canyon National Park. While acknowledging that the total number of wildfires this year is similar to those last year — 571 versus 576 — Cox stressed that 'conditions on the ground are worse, and fires are behaving very differently.' Last year, he explained, the soil contained much more moisture, creating a buffer that helped moderate fire activity. Two consecutive winters of robust snowpack also amplified the growth of grasses and brush that are now fueling the fires, the governor added. 'The tinder-dry landscape means every spark has a greater chance of becoming a large and fast-moving wildfire,' he said. Cox appealed to fellow Utahns to use common sense and avoid activities like abandoning campfires or going target shooting in dry brush. He also emphasized the importance of cutting back brush around forest cabins, to create a defensible space. The governor recognized a history of both mismanagement and lack of management on some forest lands, while noting that 'bad decisions' over the past few decades are not solely responsible for the crises that have occurred. 'Climate change is part of that, for sure,' Cox said. 'But whether you believe the climate is changing because it's human caused or not, it is changing, and we've got to adapt to that.' One of the major ways Utah and other states across the U.S. West are adapting, he explained is by treating forests with prescribed burns — a process that has led to a noticeable reduction in fuels a decrease in damage done. 'The good news is that we are doing more, and I want to give credit to both the Trump administration and the Biden administration, who realized years ago that that we needed to do more,' Cox said. Yet as wildfires continue to wreak havoc across the state, the governor noted 'an uptick in water use' and that reservoir levels plunged 10 percent during June — five times more than average for this time of year. Although reservoirs are at 77 percent capacity, slightly above normal at this point, these storage sites 'are being depleted at an above average rate,' he warned. 'It's OK to have yellow lawns this year,' Cox said. 'We give you permission not to keep them up and keep them green.' Recognizing a June declaration he had made for a statewide day of prayer and fasting for rain, the governor — a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — emphasized that prayer alone would not be enough. 'While we need faith and prayers, we also need people to cut back on their usage,' Cox added.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Climate
- USA Today
Watch: 'Firenado' caught on video in Utah during Deer Creek Fire
A "firenado," a large wildfire caught up in a swift tornado, was spotted in eastern Utah, near the Colorado border, last weekend. The fire-induced tornado developed within the Deer Creek Fire just after 1 p.m. MT on Saturday, July 12, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The "firenado," which was given an EF-2 rating, lasted for about 12 minutes. Tornados ranked as an EF-2 are deemed "significant" and exhibit a wind speed of 111-136 miles per hour. No injuries were reported by fire personnel, but buildings in the area did sustain fire and wind damage, according to the NWS. "In a state built by pioneers who prepared for hard seasons, we must meet this moment with the same resolve," Utah Sen. John Curtis wrote in an X post on Thursday, July 17. "I urge every Utahn to take seriously the fire restrictions currently in place." Watch 'firenado' form amid Utah wildfire More news: Man charged with impersonating a firefighter; fire truck reportedly seized What is the Deer Creek Fire? Deer Creek Fire started on Thursday, July 10 and as of Friday, July 18, had burned more than 15,600 acres, according to Utah Fire. The cause of the fire remains undetermined. The fire is located within Deer Creek State Park, along the border of Utah and Colorado. Is the Deer Creek Fire contained? As of Friday, July 18, 11% of Deer Creek Fire was contained, according to Utah Fire. Evacuation notices issued for Deer Creek Fire The Montrose County Sheriff's Office has issued pre-evacuations for areas around Deer Creek State Park. Residents in the affected areas are encouraged to check for local updates, prepare go-kits of supplies, put animal evacuation plans into place, inform loved ones of evacuation plans and leave areas that feel unsafe. To sign up for emergency alerts, visit the Montrose County Sheriff's Office at Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
Indianapolis Star
4 days ago
- Climate
- Indianapolis Star
Watch: 'Firenado' caught on video in Utah during Deer Creek Fire
A "firenado," a large wildfire caught up in a swift tornado, was spotted in eastern Utah, near the Colorado border, last weekend. The fire-induced tornado developed within the Deer Creek Fire just after 1 p.m. MT on Saturday, July 12, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The "firenado," which was given an EF-2 rating, lasted for about 12 minutes. Tornados ranked as an EF-2 are deemed "significant" and exhibit a wind speed of 111-136 miles per hour. No injuries were reported by fire personnel, but buildings in the area did sustain fire and wind damage, according to the NWS. "In a state built by pioneers who prepared for hard seasons, we must meet this moment with the same resolve," Utah Sen. John Curtis wrote in an X post on Thursday, July 17. "I urge every Utahn to take seriously the fire restrictions currently in place." Deer Creek Fire started on Thursday, July 10 and as of Friday, July 18, had burned more than 15,600 acres, according to Utah Fire. The cause of the fire remains undetermined. The fire is located within Deer Creek State Park, along the border of Utah and Colorado. As of Friday, July 18, 11% of Deer Creek Fire was contained, according to Utah Fire. The Montrose County Sheriff's Office has issued pre-evacuations for areas around Deer Creek State Park. Residents in the affected areas are encouraged to check for local updates, prepare go-kits of supplies, put animal evacuation plans into place, inform loved ones of evacuation plans and leave areas that feel unsafe. To sign up for emergency alerts, visit the Montrose County Sheriff's Office at
