There were a lot fewer human-caused fires in Utah in July and August — about a third the number that were started in those two months in 2020.
According to Utah Fire Info, there were 471 in 2020 and 159 this year. There were 358 in July-August 2019.
All three years showed spikes around the Fourth of July, and there were smaller increases around Pioneer Day in 2019 and 2020. The number of human-caused fires actually decreased around July 24 this year.
Utah Wildfire Info tweeted thanks to Utahns for taking wildfire prevention seriously this year, noting that “each human-caused wildfire is one too many.”
Among the human-caused fires that have burned in Utah this summer:
• The Parleys Canyon Fire, which was started by a car’s broken catalytic converter in mid-August.
• The Oak Grove Fire in the Dixie National Forest, which was started by an unattended camp fire in late August.
• The Morgan Canyon Fire, back in June, was caused by a small plane crash.
• The Pack Creek Fire, in San Juan County, also back in June, was also started by an unattended campfire.
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