Last week's storm, which left snow and rain in its wake, will do little to alleviate projections of extreme fire danger this summer throughout the state's national forests unless Utah gets more of the same.
"If we'd have a rain like that every couple weeks, we wouldn't have a fire season," said Jerry Smith, deputy fire staff officer of the Uinta National Forest Service. "But the number of weeks that happens in a summer you can count on one hand."Smith said the lack of precipitation throughout the West, which has been in a drought cycle for about five years, has forest officials fearful about the coming summer months. Precipitation has been below normal this spring, and warmer- and drier-than-normal conditions are forecast.
"It's the same old story," Smith said. "Most of us . . . are expecting it to be as bad as last year or worse."
Smith said last week's storm, unless followed by additional storms, actually could increase fire danger because the precipitation spurred growth of wild grasses that soon will dry.
"It (the storm) will probably double the amount of what we call flash fuels - things that torch off in a hurry," he said.
By the end of June, forest officials expect that they will have to implement a fire-restriction order to reduce the chances of man-caused fire in the state's forests.
The order will prohibit the setting of any fires outside facilities at improved campgrounds, picnic areas or other permanently improved areas. In addition, fireworks will be prohibited, and smoking will be allowed only in specific restricted areas.
The restriction will be in effect along the entire face of the Wasatch Front. Smith encourages people planning on camping to ask the Forest Service about fire regulations before heading to the mountains.
"If people are going out and they still have questions, they should contact the forest offices and pick up closure information," he said. Smith encourages the public to help the forest service prevent wildfires.
"Just be alert to what's happening out there and be eyes and ears for the cities, counties and forest service," he said.
Loyal Clark, Uinta National Forest Service spokeswoman, said campfires in restricted areas pose a serious threat because they often aren't put out properly. Many campers, rather than use water, merely cover fires with dirt, which often leaves them smoldering.
"Everyone thinks that they're the exception" when it comes to compliance with fire restrictions, she said. "The key thing is for everyone to be responsible and use their heads. There are no exceptions. If you're in an area that's closed to fires, it's closed."
Even if fire-closure signs are not posted in restricted areas, campers still can be fined for illegal campfires. Clark said forest officials have found fire-restriction signs burned in illegal campfires.
Campers should remember that they can be fined a minimum of $60 for starting illegal campfires and held legally responsible for the entire cost of fighting a fire that they cause, Clark said.
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Not much water
With precipitation at 76 percent of normal and snowpack at percent of normal as of May 14, forest service officials project another volatile summer throughout Utah.