Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

The lasting effects of Utah’s wildfires: By the numbers

deseret.com · 19h · first reportShare

Firefighters are working around the clock to manage one of Utah’s most devastating wildfire seasons to date, but wildfires continue to turn up the heat in Utah long after the flames are put out. “Everybody is tuned in when a wildfire happens,” said Jamie Barnes, Utah state forester and director of the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, in an interview with the Deseret News. “But then when it’s done and over, we need to remember that there’s impacts in those communities after the wildfire is gone.” The 2026 wildfire season in Utah has destroyed hundreds of structures, caused thousands of Utah residents to evacuate their homes and cost millions of dollars in firefighting resources — and it’s not done yet. ‘Catastrophic’ fires mark one of the worst fire seasons in Utah history The wildfire season runs through the beginning of October, meaning there are still two months to go. And even though the cold autumn air will ease the summer’s dangerous, fire-prone weather conditions, Utah