With hot temperatures, gusty winds and low humidity in the forecast for today, the conditions are so harsh that a tiny spark has the potential to ignite a gargantuan wildfire.
The National Weather Service has issued a red-flag warning for much of Utah beginning today at noon. In northern Utah, the warning is expected to last until the evening. In southern Utah, the red-flag warning is expected to be in effect through Sunday evening.
"If a fire does start, it will be harder to contain because the strong winds will get it going," said Chris Young, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Salt Lake City.
Temperatures are predicted to reach anywhere from 98 to 103 degrees in the Salt Lake area today. In southern Utah, highs are expected to reach 108.
The red-flag warning comes as fire officials implement a ban on open flames in lands west of I-15 across all of Utah. All of Washington County has been included in that ban, which takes effect on Monday.
On Friday, the ban was expanded to include areas along the Colorado River near Moab.
"They've got a real problem with tamarisk and other fuels that could burn in that area," said Bureau of Land Management spokeswoman Susan Marzec.
The Color Country Interagency Fire Center also expanded that restriction to include areas of the Arizona Strip, including parts of the Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument and Lake Mead.
The restrictions do allow for campfires and barbecues in approved fire pits and grills in developed campgrounds. No fireworks will be allowed, and smoking is limited to cleared areas or inside buildings or vehicles. Cutting, welding or grinding metals in dry vegetation is also restricted.
The exception is Zion National Park.
"Here in Zion, it's a total campfire ban," said park ranger David Eaker. "Mainly because of the cheatgrass conditions. All the grass and exotic vegetation has cured out and it's ripe for burning."
Friday, Salt Lake City firefighters were kept busy chasing a series of small grass fires along Interstate 80 on the west side of the city. The fires were blamed on sparks from a train moving through the area.
Dennis McKone, assistant to the Salt Lake City fire chief, pleaded for people to be careful about doing anything that might spark a fire, especially with fireworks going on sale for the Fourth of July holiday.
"This is an extremely high fire danger year. People are going to have to be very careful," he said Friday. "Be extremely careful this year. It's just so vulnerable for fire."
Salt Lake City has banned fireworks east of Wasatch Drive, Beck Street, Virginia Street and Victory Road, north of 500 North, 1800 North and 11th Avenue, in city parks and in City Creek Canyon.
E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com