Firefighters spray water on wildfire. (Photo was not taken in Utah. Photo credit: Getty Images)
JUAB, Utah – Many places in central and southern Utah have not seen a drop of rain in five months. The grasses that grew in the spring are now bone dry, and the temperatures are warmer than normal.
These are the reasons the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands has extended the Closed Fire Season for unincorporated areas of Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, Wayne, Beaver, Iron, Washington, Garfield, and Kane counties through November 30th.
Spokesman Jason Curry says this means people cannot burn debris piles outside.
“Because of the fuel conditions that are in place right now, it’s going to mean that any escape [of the flames] is going to be tough to catch, and fire behavior is going to be more aggressive,” Curry says.
However, campfires in designated areas are still okay.
People who are caught setting debris fires could be fined $2,500 and could face up to a year in jail.