Human-caused wildfires decrease in Utah for second year

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox is thanking Utahns for utilizing their fireplace sense after the state recorded a drop in human-caused wildfires for the second yr in a row.

“Thanks for dousing campfires. Thanks for sustaining autos to forestall highway fires, for being protected with fireworks, and for utilizing fireplace security fundamentals. Thanks for doing all of your half to protect the great thing about our nice state. And thanks for utilizing your fireplace sense,” he stated in a video message shared Wednesday morning.

His message comes after the Utah Division of Pure Assets launched information gathered from Jan. 1 to Nov. 1, which exhibits the lower in human-caused wildfires for the yr. In 2020, the Beehive State battled 946 wildfires. That quantity dropped to 548 in 2021 and 489 in 2022.

Greater than 87,000 acres burned in 2020, whereas that quantity decreased to simply over 24,000 in 2022.

“Utahns rose to the event and took the problem to make use of their Hearth Sense this yr,” stated Brett Ostler, state fireplace administration officer and statewide prevention & fireplace communication coordinator with the Utah Division of Forestry, Hearth & State Lands. “All through the state, the numbers present individuals are altering their behaviors and utilizing their Hearth Sense. One other key think about our success is our efficient partnerships. We couldn’t have achieved this with out the assistance of our cooperators all through the state.”