Latest news with #Utahn
USA Today
18-07-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
Watch: 'Firenado' caught on video in Utah during Deer Creek Fire
A "firenado," a large wildfire caught up in a swift tornado, was spotted in eastern Utah, near the Colorado border, last weekend. The fire-induced tornado developed within the Deer Creek Fire just after 1 p.m. MT on Saturday, July 12, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The "firenado," which was given an EF-2 rating, lasted for about 12 minutes. Tornados ranked as an EF-2 are deemed "significant" and exhibit a wind speed of 111-136 miles per hour. No injuries were reported by fire personnel, but buildings in the area did sustain fire and wind damage, according to the NWS. "In a state built by pioneers who prepared for hard seasons, we must meet this moment with the same resolve," Utah Sen. John Curtis wrote in an X post on Thursday, July 17. "I urge every Utahn to take seriously the fire restrictions currently in place." Watch 'firenado' form amid Utah wildfire More news: Man charged with impersonating a firefighter; fire truck reportedly seized What is the Deer Creek Fire? Deer Creek Fire started on Thursday, July 10 and as of Friday, July 18, had burned more than 15,600 acres, according to Utah Fire. The cause of the fire remains undetermined. The fire is located within Deer Creek State Park, along the border of Utah and Colorado. Is the Deer Creek Fire contained? As of Friday, July 18, 11% of Deer Creek Fire was contained, according to Utah Fire. Evacuation notices issued for Deer Creek Fire The Montrose County Sheriff's Office has issued pre-evacuations for areas around Deer Creek State Park. Residents in the affected areas are encouraged to check for local updates, prepare go-kits of supplies, put animal evacuation plans into place, inform loved ones of evacuation plans and leave areas that feel unsafe. To sign up for emergency alerts, visit the Montrose County Sheriff's Office at Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
Indianapolis Star
18-07-2025
- Climate
- Indianapolis Star
Watch: 'Firenado' caught on video in Utah during Deer Creek Fire
A "firenado," a large wildfire caught up in a swift tornado, was spotted in eastern Utah, near the Colorado border, last weekend. The fire-induced tornado developed within the Deer Creek Fire just after 1 p.m. MT on Saturday, July 12, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The "firenado," which was given an EF-2 rating, lasted for about 12 minutes. Tornados ranked as an EF-2 are deemed "significant" and exhibit a wind speed of 111-136 miles per hour. No injuries were reported by fire personnel, but buildings in the area did sustain fire and wind damage, according to the NWS. "In a state built by pioneers who prepared for hard seasons, we must meet this moment with the same resolve," Utah Sen. John Curtis wrote in an X post on Thursday, July 17. "I urge every Utahn to take seriously the fire restrictions currently in place." Deer Creek Fire started on Thursday, July 10 and as of Friday, July 18, had burned more than 15,600 acres, according to Utah Fire. The cause of the fire remains undetermined. The fire is located within Deer Creek State Park, along the border of Utah and Colorado. As of Friday, July 18, 11% of Deer Creek Fire was contained, according to Utah Fire. The Montrose County Sheriff's Office has issued pre-evacuations for areas around Deer Creek State Park. Residents in the affected areas are encouraged to check for local updates, prepare go-kits of supplies, put animal evacuation plans into place, inform loved ones of evacuation plans and leave areas that feel unsafe. To sign up for emergency alerts, visit the Montrose County Sheriff's Office at
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Gov Cox calls on Utahns to pray, fast for rain as wildfire risks escalate
SALT LAKE CITY () — Utah Governor Spencer Cox (R-Utah) has declared Sunday, June 29, a 'Day of Prayer and Fasting for Rain' amid the rising wildfire risks across the beehive state. In an order issued on Friday, June 27, Cox urged Utahns to conserve water and reduce their fire risk. 'Utah is facing a tough season, and we need both divine help and practical action,' Cox said in a press release. 'I invite every Utahn, whatever your faith or belief system, to join me this Sunday in a unified fast and prayer for rain. And while we look heavenward, let's do our part here at home — fix leaks, water lawns less and use every drop wisely. Small actions, taken together, can make a big difference for our state.' Forsyth fire crosses 9,550 acres, evacuation orders for to be downgraded According to data released by the Governor's office, extreme drought conditions have expanded by 82.9% since early June. The state has had 380 wildfires so far this year. Of the total fires, 275 wildfires were human caused, according to the latest information published by , a dashboard designed by the (DNR) to show real-time fire information. According to DNR, out of which, 57% were human caused. So far this year, wildfires have burned 43,000 acres statewide, compared to 90,660 last year. The largest fire that Utah is battling this year is the e that is burning nearly 28,000 acres neat Panguitch. The lands within the boundaries of Bryce Canyon National Park, including Washington, Kane, and Garfield Counties are under a Stage 1 Fire Restriction. The displaced three Utah communities, . The Utah Department of Agriculture has said that they are coordinating with the Division of Wildlife Resources to help producers find grazing land. Crews are also working on the burning in Utah County and officials say personnel are going to stay on duty throughout the weekend so they can get closer to fully containing the fire. According to the (DOI), nationally, almost nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by humans. Here are 10 tips from DOI on how you can be fire wise: Check weather and drought conditions Build your campfire in an open location and far from flammables Douse your campfire until it's cold Keep vehicles off dry grass and avoid parking over dry grass Regularly maintain your equipment and vehicle as it can shoot sparks from the exhaust Carry a shovel, bucket and a fire extinguisher in your vehicle to put out fires Check your tires, bearings and axles on your trailer Keep sparks away from dry vegetation Check conditions and regulations before you use fireworks or consider safe alternatives Cautiously burn debris and never when it's windy or restricted For more information, read . Kavanaugh objects as Supreme Court turns away California pig welfare law challenge Supreme Court refuses American Airlines' bid to validate JetBlue alliance Supreme Court to hear Vance, GOP effort to strike down campaign finance provision Schumer warned on Senate decorum rule after ripping GOP colleagues over Trump megabill I-80 in Salt Lake City reopens after suspect shoots at police and tow truck driver Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Boil water advisory remains in place, Draper City says
DRAPER, Utah (ABC4) — The water boil order issued yesterday, June 5, for WaterPro customers in Draper remains in place, according to Draper City on social media. The City said that water testing results are expected to be in around 4 p.m. today, June 6. The Salt Lake County Health Department issued a boil water advisory for some WaterPro customers in Draper on Thursday around 6 p.m. WaterPro notified affected customers that there was potential contamination to the drinking water system, outlined in the below. As a precaution, the Utah Division of Drinking Water issued a . WaterPro-Water-System-Potentially-Affected-AreaDownload WaterPro is one of two water utilities that serves Draper City, and customers served by the Draper City water company are not affected. According to WaterPro, the contamination came from a cross-connection between secondary and culinary water systems, allowing untreated water to enter the drinking water system. WaterPro is reportedly testing to determine bacteria levels in the water supply, and so far, chlorine levels observed have been normal. Scam Alert: Riverton police warn of court scam Boil water advisory remains in place, Draper City says Attorney to author: The path behind this Utahn's first mystery novel, 'Buried Bones' Utah's next earthquake could hit harder, U of U research suggests Illinois Republican mistakes Sikh for Muslim, calls him delivering prayer in House 'deeply troubling' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Opinion: Science is Utah's quiet engine — don't stall it with cuts to important funding
Science quietly powers Utah's prosperity. From lifesaving diagnostics at ARUP Laboratories and cutting-edge biotech startups to clean energy research at Utah State and drought-resistant crops developed through university partnerships, science is behind much of what makes life in Utah better, longer and more secure. In 2024, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded over $300 million to Utah institutions. That funding supported thousands of jobs, helped launch companies, and enabled groundbreaking research in everything from cancer treatments to Alzheimer's to rare disease therapies. Public health advances that benefit every Utahn — urban or rural — almost always begin through federally funded research. But now, that progress is in jeopardy. Proposed cuts and restrictions to NIH funding could have devastating effects on Utah's research institutions and economy. The plan to slash NIH's overall budget by nearly half, coupled with a proposal to reduce the indirect cost reimbursement to universities from around 50% to 15%, would mean far less money to cover the real costs of doing science. Basics like lab space, utilities, data storage and administrative support aren't luxuries — they're the infrastructure that makes research possible. For public universities like the University of Utah and Utah State, this isn't just a budget concern. It's a structural threat. Without adequate indirect cost support, universities would either have to drastically scale back research activity or shift the financial burden to students and state taxpayers. Both options would weaken Utah's competitive edge in science and technology. The consequences would ripple far beyond campus. Utah is known for its 'Industry' motto — a title that honors the resourcefulness and hard work that built our communities. Today, that industrious spirit thrives in our biotech labs, clean tech startups and health research centers. But industries can't thrive without innovation. Utah's life sciences sector depends on a steady pipeline of NIH-supported talent and discoveries emerging from research. Companies like Recursion, Myriad Genetics and BioFire Diagnostics thrive because of academic partnerships and access to skilled graduates. Pulling funding would slow innovation and shrink the talent pool. But it's not just about economics. It's about people. NIH funding supports clinical trials that help Utah families battling cancer. It funds suicide prevention programs in our schools, mental health outreach in rural counties, and pediatric care innovations at Primary Children's Hospital (PCH). It supports research for Native American communities and families dealing with chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma. Without that funding, many of these programs would disappear. I've seen the impact of public health investment firsthand. After I tested positive for latent tuberculosis as a student, I received free weekly treatment and health monitoring through the Utah County Health Department. It was science-backed care, delivered through a local system supported by federal resources. Without that treatment, I could have developed active tuberculosis — a threat not just to me but also to others. The system worked because it was built on scientific research and proactive policy. That kind of safety net doesn't happen without sustained funding. Furthermore, my nephew, Wesley, was cared for at PCH when he was just four months old. He was diagnosed with polyarteritis nodosa, a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and damage to the heart. The NIH not only funds various programs at PCH but also was crucial to backing the science that led to properly diagnosing and saving Wesley. These cuts hurt the next generation. Graduate students and early career scientists — many of whom come from Utah — rely on federal research grants to get their start. If funding dries up, so do those opportunities. We risk losing promising young minds to other careers or other countries. This is not a partisan issue. Scientific progress should never be about politics. Every Utahn benefits from the medications they take, the clean water they drink, the safe food they eat and the medical care they receive. All of these are underpinned by science. Restricting it weakens our shared safety net and quality of life. Utah is built on hard work, innovation and foresight. Cutting science funding now would undermine the very foundation that allows us to adapt, compete and care for our communities. Science works for Utah — let's keep it that way.
