Utah braces for "dangerous" wildfire season
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Most of the state is experiencing severe to extreme drought conditions as above-average temperatures persist this year, setting up a "dangerous" fire season, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox told reporters last week.
The big picture: Following long stretches of low precipitation, dry conditions prevail across much of the West, South and Southeast, per the U.S. Drought Monitor, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick reports.
What they're saying: Cox urged Utahns to exercise common sense outdoors, warning that a single mistake can have "devastating consequences."
- He said he expects to issue a drought declaration in Utah soon.
By the numbers: There have been 117 wildfires in Utah so far this year, burning 981 acres, according to state data.
- The vast majority — 87% — were caused by humans.
Zoom out: About 1.8 million acres had burned nationwide as of April 24, according to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC).
- That's nearly double the year-to-date 10-year average, and the highest year-to-date figure since 2017.