An executive order aimed at enhancing Utah’s wildfire readiness and coordination has been issued by Gov. Spencer Cox, as the state braces for the upcoming fire season. This directive establishes the Working Group on Wildfire Management, which will be composed of key agency leaders such as Joel Ferry, Director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources; Jamie Barnes, Director of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands; and Jess Anderson, Director of the Utah Department of Public Safety.
The task of this working group is to deliver a comprehensive report by June 1. The report will detail areas of concern, strategies for coordination with city, state, and private landowners, and enhancements to evacuation planning processes. Additionally, it aims to identify “priority areas” for wildfire mitigation projects on both state and federal lands, while addressing post-fire risks like debris flows.
This initiative is part of a proactive approach to ensure the state’s preparedness before the fire season begins. The executive order is set to expire on June 1. It follows closely after the governor’s announcement of possible emergency declarations in response to drought conditions affecting central and southern Utah. These drought-related orders could be forthcoming when legislators reconvene at Capitol Hill in May.
Current data from the U.S. Drought Monitor highlights that most of Washington County and parts of Iron County are experiencing extreme drought. Additionally, about a third of Utah, including significant areas in the east and west, is under severe drought conditions. Only a quarter of the state is not categorized under drought or is considered “abnormally dry,” suggesting that soil moisture levels are suboptimal, thereby increasing wildfire risks.
The order indicates that low soil moisture in Utah can create conditions conducive to wildfires, with unpredictable weather factors potentially accelerating fire spread. The Climate Prediction Center of the National Weather Service forecasts a wet end to April in Utah, but anticipates below-normal precipitation and above-normal temperatures in May, with slightly drier conditions expected through July for most of the state. The southern tip of Utah, however, holds “equal chances” for precipitation, although early monsoonal storms may initially bring lightning before conditions stabilize.
Early planning and preparedness are emphasized in Cox’s order, which complements recent legislative efforts, including Utah’s move to join the Great Plains Interstate Fire Compact. This membership will enable resource sharing with other member states. These legislative measures stem from a need to prevent incidents akin to the devastating fires in Southern California earlier this year, which resulted in significant loss of life and property. State fire experts have cautioned about unpredictable fire conditions that can persist beyond the typical fire season.
Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of wildfire planning is essential to reducing risks to watersheds and landscapes throughout Utah, thereby strengthening the state’s overall wildfire preparedness.