FILE: Storm clouds over southern Utah on July 14, 2018.
SALT LAKE CITY – – With fire season well underway in Utah, rain is vital to the prevention of more burning land. Over the last couple days in July, the Beehive State has seen the highest level of moisture in the air this time of year leading storm development to produce heavy rain according to the National Weather Service.
Although the rain is beneficial for Utah, these storm lead to new threats along with the fires. KSL Meteorologist Matt Johnson, says these heavy downpours could lead to mudslides and debris flows with flash flooding on the radar this weekend.
Utah’s current largest burning fire, the Halfway Hill fire, saw two-tenths to a half inch of rain the last few days. Although this may have slowed the burn, high temperatures will break through the clouds early next week posing a threat to the Halfway Hill, Dry Creek and Jason City fires.
“Yes we would have liked a little more rain on top of these fires,” said Meteorologist Johnson. “we’ll take what we can get.”