Utah experiencing fewer wildfires than in years past according to first Wildfire Wednesday report

A wildfire in Washington County burned a total of 40 acres. Photo: Courtesy of Utah Fire Info

UTAH — Utah is seeing fewer wildfires this year than in years past, according to the first Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildfire Wednesday update of 2023.

So far this year there have been 122 total wildfires, 57 started by humans and 39 started by lightning. Overall, 764 acres have burned.

In contrast, at this time in 2022 there had been 197 wildfires throughout the state, 177 started by humans, and in 2021 there had been 365 wildfires, 321 started by humans.

According to Kayli M. Guild, prevention and communications coordinator for the Utah DNR, thunderstorms will continue to impact the majority of Utah throughout the upcoming week. Cool and moist conditions should continue through Friday, June 16.

“While the risk of fire is low, the southern regions of Utah may experience drying by Tuesday,” Guild said. “The eight to 14 day outlook predicts cooler than normal temperatures and drier than normal through southern Utah.”

For the latest information on wildfires in Utah, visit https://utahfireinfo.gov/.