Wildfires

From Spokane, Wash. to Pueblo County, Colo., fast-moving fires have again wreaked havoc in neighborhoods this summer. Now, a network of scientists, fire professionals and other experts have joined forces to seek research-based solutions to the problem.

“It felt like you were suffocating,” said one Wayne County resident. When smoke from the Widemouth 2 fire overlapped with a heat wave this summer, it left some Utahns without air conditioning in a tough spot.

More than three quarters of all wildfires in the U.S. are caused by human behavior including accidents, negligence and arson.

“For 25 years, the Roadless Rule has tied the hands of local land managers with a one-size-fits-all federal policy,” said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. “Rescinding it restores the flexibility to make thoughtful decisions based on the needs of each forest and each community.”

Friends and family are sharing what they'll miss about Chris Andersen and Miles Elliott. Their deaths have also further shaken the wildland fire community, which has lost several firefighters in this intense and ongoing season.

The Sevier County sheriff said Saturday that the pilots were killed when their Sikorsky Skycrane helicopter went down Friday morning. The helicopter was among those fighting a fire in the Fishlake National Forest.

The Sikorsky S64 helicopter was one of seven working a fire in central Utah that was caused by lightning on July 27. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration will investigate.

Scientists are flying research missions over northern Utah to understand better how ozone forms and how a shrinking Great Salt Lake, wildfire smoke and other factors affect the state's air quality.

The hybrid approach returns authority to local cities and towns, but still preserves the governor’s emergency order and the state forester’s ability to issue new restrictions.

People in Monticello, Utah, have been tense and preparing to evacuate since shortly after the Babylon Fire started June 26.

The national preparedness level has yet to hit its highest level, but resources are under pressure. Nearly 17,000 people have been assigned to the fires, along with hundreds of engines and air support.

Even though Utah has resources, many people look to their neighbors when they need help with animal evacuations. Local rescues and the Utah State University extension can help with livestock and finding foster homes while locals wait to go back home.