Utah Division of Forestry

Thanks to wet weather and prevention efforts, Utah’s had fewer fires this year than any other year since at least 2002.

Two conservation easements in northern Utah will preserve wildlife habitat and allow for continued agricultural and logging use.

“With it being so dry and with the fuels just ready to go, we're pretty much issuing red flag warnings almost every day at this point,” said Mark Miller, a National Weather service meteorologist who forecasts for southeast Utah.

Emergency personnel in Southwest Utah are already battling frequent fires as the extra grass and brush that grew during the wet spring are providing more fire fuel as they dry out.

Salinity is an indicator of the Great Salt Lake’s health. During the historic low last year, salt levels were so high lake life was at risk.

Utah Lake is a defining landmark of Provo but “people don't see it as a valuable and desirable ecosystem,” says a BYU professor.

“A lot can change between now and the heart of summer,” said Jon Meyer, the assistant state climatologist at the Utah Climate Center.

Crackling concrete and earth emptied in the Jordan River in Utah County are prompting concerns, but the Jordan River Commission executive director says erosion is a natural part of the water cycle.

Tooele County is preparing for flooding following last July’s Jacob City fire in Soldier Canyon.

While Utah’s leaders are optimistic about the record snow and spring runoff, researchers remain concerned about the state of the lake.

All in all, there are a lot more questions than there are answers right now. Especially about how Utah and the Great Salt Lake got into this situation.

The director of Forestry, Fire and State Lands gave a scathing report of the development proposal to Utah legislators on Wednesday.