Latest news with #UtahBureauofLandManagement
New York Post
17-07-2025
- Climate
- New York Post
Utah ‘firenado' with 122-mph winds leaves behind terrifying path of destruction
A surging wildfire ripping through eastern Utah wilderness over the weekend triggered a rare 'firenado', unleashing a terrifying mix of wind and flames that left one home and several other outbuildings severely damaged. The Deer Creek Fire had already burned several thousand acres just north of La Sal on Saturday when the column of flames and hot gases began spinning, creating the surreal sight of a firenado. Advertisement 'One of our firefighters captured this unusual phenomenon of a fire vortex tearing through pinyon-juniper woodland on the Deer Creek Fire, just outside of La Sal,' said officials with the Utah Bureau of Land Management. The firenado did significant damage as it wreaked havoc on a neighborhood caught in the blaze. The National Weather Service estimated that wind speeds inside the twister reached 122 mph – strong enough to rate an EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita scale. What's worse, instead of typical tornadoes that may only spend moments to seconds blasting a neighborhood as the storm blows through, this firenado was nearly stationary, spending 12 minutes swirling its flame-infused fury. 4 On Saturday, July 12, a fire-induced tornado developed within the Deer Creek wildfire near La Sal, Utah. National Weather Service Advertisement 4 The tornado was on the ground for approximately 12 minutes from 1:03-1:15 PM MDT and remained nearly stationary. Dwellings and outbuildings in the area sustained a mix of fire and wind damage. National Weather Service 'Dwellings and outbuildings in the area sustained a mix of fire and wind damage,' said NWS meteorologists in Grand Junction, Colorado, who later surveyed the damage. 'Many of the affected structures burned after the tornado occurred, but wind damage sustained by the remaining structures resulted in the tornado being given an EF-2 rating.' Luckily, residents had already evacuated with the approaching wildfire and no one was injured, NWS officials said. Fire whirls or 'firenados' are spinning columns of hot air and gases rising up from a fire, according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. When the air and gases rise, they also carry up smoke, debris, and even fire, as seen in the vortex of fire in the video. Advertisement 4 Dwellings and outbuildings in the area sustained a mix of fire and wind damage. National Weather Service 4 Many of the affected structures burned after the tornado occurred, but wind damage sustained by the remaining structures resulted in the tornado being given an EF-2 rating. National Weather Service The vortices can be as small as under one foot wide to over 500 feet wide, the NWCG said. Fire whirls on the larger side can be as strong as a tornado, as evidenced on Saturday. One of the largest and most destructive fire whirls occurred in 2018 during the Carr Fire in Redding, California, the National Weather Service said. It had wind speeds of about 143 mph, equivalent to those found in EF-3 tornadoes. Advertisement Tornadoes in any form, be it thunderstorm or wildfire-driven, are rare in Utah. The firenado was only the second twister to be given an EF-2 rating in Utah since the Enhanced Fujita scale was implemented in 2007. Prior to that, only nine other tornadoes had been rated at least an F2 on the original Fujita Scale since 1950. Meanwhile, firefighters are still battling the Deer Creek Fire, which had burned more than 15,600 acres as of Thursday morning's update. The blaze is about 7% contained. It's one of eight large wildfires burning in Utah that have scorched over 60,000 acres so far this summer.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Increased fire restrictions in effect for Southern Utah
ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) — The Utah Bureau of Land Management has issued Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for multiple Southern Utah counties due to rapidly increasing fire danger. Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, June 1, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will be in effect for portions of Washington, Kane and Garfield counties. This includes all BLM and National Park Service-managed land, unincorporated private lands and all state-owned land. Utah BLM says the increase in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions is due to an increase in fire activity as conditions become hotter and drier in the coming months. The following activities will be prohibited during these restrictions: No campfires or open fires outside of agency-improved and maintained campgrounds and homesites in southwest Utah. Running water is required on cabins or homesites on unincorporated private land. Devices fueled by liquid petroleum are allowed. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove fire, except within a developed recreation site or improved site. No discharging of fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices outside of incorporated city limits or on public lands (city-specific restrictions may apply). Fireworks are always prohibited on all federal lands. No shooting of exploding targets or tracer ammunition. No cutting, grinding, or welding of metals in areas of dry vegetation. This includes acetylene torches. No use of equipment without a working a properly maintained spark arrestor (if required). No smoking near vegetation or outside of a developed recreation site, personal vehicle, or building. No open fires of any kind are allowed in Zion National Park's Watchman Campground (Stage 2 Fire Restrictions). Campfires are allowed in improved and maintained campgrounds at Lava Point in Zion National Park. Campfires are allowed at Glen Canyon in established campgrounds within established rings or below the high-water mark, only in areas completely void of vegetation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
BLM warns against driving on wet Bonneville Salt Flats following recent damage
TOOELE COUNTY, Utah () — Following recent damage left behind by a car at the Bonneville Salt Flats, the Utah Bureau of Land Management is reminding the public not to drive on the salt flats when the surface is wet. Photos taken earlier today and posted by BLM Utah show fresh damage from vehicles that were driving on the wet salt, the organization said. 'From just one spot, the damage is clear. Scroll through to see how much has been affected. This is exactly why it's strongly discouraged,' the post said. BLM Utah continues to explain that when the flats are wet, the fragile salt crusts may break under the weight of a car, which exposes the thick mud underneath, leaving lasting scars on the landscape. In addition, they said it can leave drivers stranded, with a recovery bill that can climb to nearly $5,000. 'That's a tough lesson, both for your wallet and for the salt flats,' the post said. Instead, here's what BLM Utah said you should do if you are visiting the salt flats: Only drive on the flats when they are completely dry. Check for standing water or soft, damp areas. Touch the surface to make sure it's firm and dry before driving. BLM Utah said to avoid the edges, as the salt crust is much thinner near the edges, and driving on them increase your chances of becoming stranded. Use the main access route. Take Exit 4 off I-80, then follow Bonneville Salt Flats Access Road for five miles to the parking area. Only go past that point if the surface is completely dry and stable. Be mindful of the landscape and others. 'People travel from all over the world to see the Bonneville Salt Flats. Let's help preserve what makes this place worth the trip,' they wrote. Speaker Johnson predicts SALT deal Wednesday as both sides report progress Brian Santiago named BYU athletic director DHS terminating temporary protected status for Afghanistan, what it means for Utah Caleb Lohner goes from basketball court to the NFL BLM warns against driving on wet Bonneville Salt Flats following recent damage Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
