Lowest number of Pioneer Day weekend human-caused fires on record

SALT LAKE CITY — Fire officials are thanking Utahns for being responsible and using Fire Sense over the Pioneer Day holiday weekend this year because human-caused fires were at a record low. 

The @UtahDNR is giving an update on human-caused wildfires. There were fewer fires caused by people over this year’s Pioneer Day weekend than any year prior. @kslnewsradio #utfire pic.twitter.com/l7LCSjBzNp

— Nick Wyatt (@NickWyattNews) July 28, 2021

Pioneer Day fires drop to new low

The Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said there were 13 human-caused fires during the week of July 19-25, the lowest number for a July 24 holiday weekend on record. 

“It slows the season significantly when we’re having less of those human-caused wildfires. Can’t do anything about the lightning; they’re going to happen no matter what. So, preventing those human-caused wildfires makes a huge impact,” said Kait Webb, Utah Department of Natural Resources fire-prevention coordinator.

Huge prevention & suppression successes last week!

💥 Only 13 human-caused wildfires statewide, fewer than any previous Pioneer holiday week.
💥 Firefighters successfully suppressed all 69 naturally-caused wildfires within the first day.

Let’s keep it up Utah 🙌👏 #FireSense pic.twitter.com/vXiPj6suy5

— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 28, 2021

As far as naturally-caused fires during the same period, crews were able to knock down all 69 of them within the first day. 

The typical ‘fire season’ no longer exists

Despite the good news, Webb said we cannot become complacent now. This is mostly because the traditional “fire season” is no a longer a term. It’s now a “fire year.” 

“We are asking the public not to let their guard down,” Webb said. “It’s really easy when you hear about the flooding in southern parts of the state and continued rain showers to feel a false sense of security and that prevention isn’t as necessary anymore, that fire risk has been fully eliminated. That’s not the case.” 

So what does #FireSense look like when it comes to shooting? Aim away from dry grass and rock. Place targets away from rocky backstops. Never use exploding targets and tracer rounds. Never shoot outdoors when it’s hot or windy. https://t.co/t1p0NWDxI3

— Utah DNR (@UtahDNR) July 25, 2021

The DNR said it could be busy in the coming weeks with the threat of scattered thunderstorms across the state.