ST. GEORGE — It’s hot. Very hot. July 12, in fact, marks 23 consecutive days that the mercury has exceeded 100 degrees in St. George.
St. George Regional Airport weather station data reveals the last double-digit daily high temperature was June 19 when it topped out at 93 degrees. June’s average was 101.13 degrees, with an average low of 73.90. In 2023, the average high was 90.67 and the low 64.33.
Meanwhile, the first 12 days of July have continued this trend, with a monthly average high so far of 108.25 and a low average of 77.33 degrees. In 2023, these averages were 105.48 and 74.71, respectively. And the airport weather station lists 113 as the highest high temperature since June 19, though some weather sources list 116 as the July high in other parts of Washington County.
Currently in effect are both an Excessive Heat Warning until midnight Saturday-Sunday and a Red Flag Warning until 10 p.m. Saturday for all or parts of the Washington, Iron, Kane, Beaver and Garfield counties. The alerts also include Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Lake Powell and the Mojave Desert
“Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures of 107 to 112” are expected through midnight Saturday, according to a National Weather Service news release. “This is a long-duration, dangerous heat wave that is likely to set records. Temperatures over slick rock and red rock will be even hotter. Consider hiking early in the morning or late in the evening. Warm overnight temperatures can cause heat stress to build for those without adequate cooling access.”
The alerts also reference the possibility of dry thunderstorms and gusty outflow winds, between noon and midnight Saturday is in effect from noon-10 p.m. Saturday.
“Widely scattered coverage of thunderstorms after a long period of dry and hot weather is expected. Most of these storms will be dry, but a few storms may trend wetter by the evening hours,” the news release said. “Erratic winds with gusts in excess of 40 mph are possible with any thunderstorms.
Below are details of previous alerts, some of which are still in effect, as well as updates on the three wildfires in the region.
Thursday, July 11
Rapidly increasing fire danger and recent wildfire activity has prompted Utah’s interagency fire managers to implement Stage 1 fire restrictions.
Stage 1 fire restrictions in “Color Country” will be in effect as of 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 12, on all federal, unincorporated private and state lands in Washington, Iron, Kane, Garfield, Beaver, Piute, Millard, Sanpete, Sevier and Wayne counties. Included in the Beaver County restrictions are Fishlake National Forest and Beaver Ranger District.
In a press release Thursday afternoon, Color County District Fire Management Officer Josh Tibbetts said the Stage 1 restrictions are intended to keep people and communities safe from potential unnecessary fires.
“Fire danger is rapidly increasing in central Utah,” he said. “Hot and dry weather conditions are expected to continue through July.
“Recent wildfires have grown rapidly on windy days and have the potential to threaten our communities and public lands. Preventing human-caused wildfires is priority for all land management agencies right now.”
Further, the restrictions apply in Juab County (excluding the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest) and Sanpete County (excluding Manti-La Sal National Forest).
Stage 1 restrictions include:
- No campfires or open fires outside of agency-improved and maintained campgrounds and homesites in central Utah. Running water is required at cabins or homesites on unincorporated private land. Devices fueled by liquid petroleum are allowed.
- 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 metal in areas of dry vegetation. This includes acetylene torches.
- No use of equipment without a working and properly maintained spark arrestor (if required).
Southern Utah blazes grow
As previously reported, smoke from three wildfires in Southern Utah continued to haze the skies above St. George, making the near-record temperatures even more uncomfortable on Friday.
According to Utah Fire Info, the Silver King Fire burning approximately three miles west of Marysvale had grown to 15,548 acres by Friday morning and is 2% contained.
There are 562 personnel fighting the fire. They maintained dozer lines and mopped up areas near the eastern edge of the fire overnight.
The Deer Springs Fire northeast of Kanab in Kane County was listed at 11,680 acres in size and is 30 percent contained, according to Utah Fire Information.
Over 150 personnel are fighting the fire. The fire was first discovered last Sunday and is thought to have something to do with human activity although the exact cause is still under investigation.
According to Friday’s update, “Yesterday’s operations included continued work to secure the fire line on both flanks of the fire. In addition a hand crew that just arrived … was placed in a rugged hard to hard-to-reach area of the fire to work on some of the hardest-to-reach line. Crews continued fire line construction to the cliffs’ edge on the south flank and handline connecting to dozer line on the west flank. Crews continue to work on containing any smaller fires that migrated off the rim.”
The Little Twist Fire east of Beaver was 60 percent contained after burning 5,367 acres. It started as a prescribed burn a little over a month ago but was quickly reclassified as a wildfire in order to allow for increased resources.
Utah Fire Info reports that “a Great Basin Type 3 team transitioned command back to the local unit, where fire personnel will continue their efforts toward containment and suppression objectives. A heatwave is anticipated to remain in the fire area through the weekend, with continued hot and dry weather. Interior pockets of unburned fuel will continue to consume creating visible smoke in the area as they burn within the perimeter.”
The closure order remains in effect for the safety of the public and firefighters. Updates will be posted on this incident every few days or when there are significant changes.
Video below shows footage of the Deer Springs Fire from Sunday, July 7.
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