Utah wildfire forces evacuation of small town as extreme heat roasts US west
A large wildfire in Utah has forced the evacuation of the town of Eureka and a nearby ranch, with extreme heat and dry conditions fueling multiple blazes across the western United States.
Utah's Iron Fire and Evacuation
The Iron fire in Juab County, Utah, was first detected on Saturday and has so far blackened more than 2,000 acres (about 800 hectares). The fire, located about 70 miles (113 km) southwest of Salt Lake City, forced the evacuation of the small town of Eureka (population 1,000) and a nearby ranch. Officials reported that no homes were lost, and firefighters successfully protected the town, according to Utah Fire Info, a multi-agency operation.
Human-Caused and Under Investigation
Kelly Wickens, a fire prevention specialist with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, warned that the fire continues to grow amid drought conditions. Wickens stated that the fire is human-caused and remains under investigation. Utah Governor Spencer Cox visited the town on Sunday, noting that multiple fires were burning across the state—six in total at various levels of containment.
Other Wildfires and Heat Warnings
In neighboring Colorado, the southwestern corner of the state was under a red-flag warning issued by the National Weather Service until Monday due to gusty winds and low humidity. In Arizona, a wildfire near Sedona burned about 300 acres (120 hectares) of steep terrain over the weekend, remaining uncontained as of Sunday afternoon. Evacuated residents were still not allowed to return home.
Meanwhile, much of the western U.S. from the Rockies to the Pacific coast experienced above-average temperatures this weekend, with even hotter weather expected early next week. Parts of southern California are under an extreme heat advisory, according to the Los Angeles Times. Officials warned that prolonged dry, hot weather and low humidity increase fire danger.
Drought and Heat Casualties
Much of Utah is experiencing severe to extreme drought, while parts of Arizona and Colorado are in severe drought, per the U.S. Drought Monitor. Extreme heat claimed the lives of three hikers in two separate incidents last week at the Grand Canyon. Temperatures are forecast to reach up to 108°F (42.2°C) on Sunday in Carlsbad, New Mexico.
Additionally, a brush fire in Miami-Dade County, Florida, spread across 2,000 acres (800 hectares) on Saturday.
This report includes information from the Associated Press.
