2024 Utah wildfires


The 2024 Utah wildfire season was a series of wildfires that burned throughout the U.S. state of Utah during 2024.

Background

While the typical wildfire season in Utah varies, most fires occur in between July and October. Fire conditions can heavily depend on monsoons that last from late June to September. Dry monsoons can allow fires to start and spread easier, while wet ones can cause fire relief. Additionally, hot temperatures and overall dry conditions play a large role.

Summary

While above average snow packs had diminished fire activity in previous years, the melting snow led to growth of plants that were ideal for fire conditions. The hot and dry conditions dried out the abundant vegetation, a prime fuel for fires. There were above normal temperatures throughout Utah, including Salt Lake City seeing its first 100 degrees day three weeks before average. Warmth and dryness continued into August. A late and below-average monsoon contributed to drought and fire conditions. Unusually dry conditions in June and July created critical fire conditions. Thus, several fires were ignited during this period. All these conditions contributed to 538 wildfires burning approximately by mid-July compared to 808 wildfires total in 2023 that burned.
The monsoon did not arrive until early August, but still provided a brief break in fire activity. Despite this, hot, dry, and windy weather returned in September and lasted until mid-October, causing an increased number of wildfires. Many large fires continued until the end of October when autumn storms brought precipitation throughout the state, essentially bringing an end to the wildfire season.

List of wildfires

The following is a list of fires that burned more than, or produced significant structural damage or casualties.
NameCountyAcresStart dateContainment DateNotesRef
Little TwistBeaver5,36713 5 202422 8 2024Firefighter combating the fire seriously injured by falling snag
Silver KingPiute18,2225 7 20241 8 2024Ignited by lightning roughly away from Marysvale
Deer SpringsKane11,765.777 7 202430 7 2024Burned nearly of pinyon-juniper in first 24 hours
BoulterTooele2,2437 7 202430 8 2024Human-caused. Evacuations issued for Vernon and Eureka
HagBox Elder3,61031 7 20241 8 2024
Dry ForkRich1,3406 8 202412 8 2024Ranchers and livestock evacuated
PrairieGrand1,92116 9 202418 9 2024Ignited by lightning near the southeast Colorado border
Yellow LakeWasatch33,04128 9 20245 11 2024Burned south of Francis and destroyed eight log decks. Caused by improper use of logging equipment.