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orywireA Red Flag Warning is in effect Friday afternoon into Friday night for parts of Utah, with gusty southwest winds and very low humidity expected. Residents should avoid outdoor burning, campfires, fireworks and spark-producing work near dry vegetation.
A Utah Red Flag Warning is in effect Friday afternoon into Friday night for the Central Utah West Desert, Color Country West Desert and Mojave Desert fire weather zones, according to the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City. Residents in and near those areas should avoid outdoor burning, campfires, fireworks and other activities that could throw sparks into dry grass or brush.
The warning covers Fire Weather Zone 492, the Central Utah West Desert; Fire Weather Zone 495, the Color Country West Desert; and Fire Weather Zone 497, the Mojave Desert.
For the Central Utah West Desert and Color Country West Desert, the warning runs from 3 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Saturday. For the Mojave Desert zone, it runs from 3 p.m. Friday to midnight Friday night.
The Weather Service said southwest winds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph, are expected in the Central Utah West Desert and Color Country West Desert. Humidity could drop as low as 9 percent.
In the Mojave Desert zone, southwest winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph are expected, with humidity as low as 10 percent. The agency said any new fire starts or existing fires may spread rapidly under these conditions.
A Red Flag Warning is a fire-weather alert, not a notice that a specific fire has started. It means critical fire weather conditions are expected, occurring or imminent.
During the warning, avoid outdoor burning and campfires. Put off fireworks, grinding, cutting, welding and other spark-producing work near dry vegetation.
The Bureau of Land Management’s Utah fire restrictions page lists active prevention orders for several BLM-managed areas, including restrictions on campfires using solid fuels, smoking outside vehicles or enclosed areas, grinding, cutting, welding and engines without spark arresters in certain districts. Rules vary by land manager and county, so check the local restriction before visiting public lands.
The Weather Service also posted a Fire Weather Watch for Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening for additional Utah fire weather zones, including the Western Uintah Basin, Tavaputs Plateau, Manti National Forest, San Rafael Swell, Central Utah Mountains, Henry Mountains, Color Country Mountains and Grand Staircase.
A watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible and could lead to later Red Flag Warnings. Residents planning Saturday outdoor work or recreation should check the latest Weather Service alert before heading out.
The warning can be extended, canceled or replaced if winds, humidity or fuel conditions change. Check the National Weather Service Salt Lake City alerts page before starting outdoor work, traveling to public lands or lighting any fire.
If you see smoke, flames or an unattended outdoor fire, call 911. Do not wait for conditions to worsen before reporting a possible wildfire.
