‘The West is burning,’ and Utah fire officials fear repeat of last year

Unified Fire Authority Assistant Chief and Fire Marshal Steven Higgs talks about fire restrictions during the critical fire season at a press conference, Thursday, June 20, 2013, in Salt Lake City.

Unified Fire Authority Assistant Chief and Fire Marshal Steven Higgs talks about fire restrictions during the critical fire season in front of a county map showing restricted area in red as Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams looks on at a press conference, Thursday, June 20, 2013, in Salt Lake City.

Unified Fire Authority Assistant Chief and Fire Marshal Steven Higgs talks about fire restrictions during the critical fire season at a press conference, Thursday, June 20, 2013, in Salt Lake City.

Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams talks about fire restrictions during the critical fire season at a press conference, Thursday, June 20, 2013, in Salt Lake City.

Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams talks about fire restrictions during the critical fire season at a press conference, Thursday, June 20, 2013, in Salt Lake City.

Salt Lake County map showing restricted fire area Thursday, June 20, 2013, in Salt Lake City.

Crews battle the Shingle Fire east of Cedar City, Utah, on Monday, July 2, 2012. Evacuations were ordered as the 500-acre wildfire that broke out Sunday threatened about 100 cabins inside Dixie National Forest. In all, 10 wildfires were burning Monday across Utah.

Crews battle the Shingle Fire east of Cedar City, Utah, on Monday, July 2, 2012. Evacuations were ordered as the 500-acre wildfire that broke out Sunday threatened about 100 cabins inside Dixie National Forest. In all, 10 wildfires were burning Monday across Utah.

A helicopter looks for places to put out hot spots in the morning the day after hundreds were evacuated from their homes in Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain as a 4,000 plus acre fire ripped through the foothills west of Utah Lake Saturday, June 23, 2012, in Saratoga Springs, Utah. Utah Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Leonard Blackham said an estimated 20,000 head of livestock have had ranges burned due to an unprecedented string of wildfires that have plagued the state since June. Drought is compounding the situation, with range conditions dry and unproductive.

Towering columns of smoke cross U.S. 89 Tuesday, June 26, 2012, after gusting winds whipped up a wildfire that authorities were hoping they would gain control of. The fire already has burned about 40,000 acres, destroyed several dozen homes. Sanpete County Sheriff’s Office also confirmed a fatality in the fire.

An air tanker drops fire retardant while battling a blaze near Mt. Pleasant, Utah, on Monday, June 25, 2012. Firefighting officials say they have 10 percent containment on a fire that’s threatening about 300 homes in Sanpete County and has burned structures, although they say it’s not clear how many structures were burned or what kind they are.

The Wood Hollow Fire has burned more than 10,000 acres.

Smoke billows near Fairview, Sanpete County, on Saturday, June 23, 2012. The Wood Hollow Fire has burned more than 10,000 acres and forced the overnight evacuation of 200 homes.

Smoke billows near Moroni, Sanpete County, on Saturday, June 23, 2012. The Wood Hollow Fire has burned more than 10,000 acres and forced the overnight evacuation of 200 homes.

Smoke billows near Fairview, Sanpete County, on Saturday, June 23, 2012. The Wood Hollow Fire has burned more than 10,000 acres and forced the overnight evacuation of 200 homes.

The setting sun shines through the smoke near Fairview, Sanpete County, on Saturday, June 23, 2012. The Wood Hollow Fire has burned more than 10,000 acres and forced the overnight evacuation of 200 homes.

Smoke billows near Moroni, Sanpete County, on Saturday, June 23, 2012. The Wood Hollow Fire has burned more than 10,000 acres and forced the overnight evacuation of 200 homes.

The setting sun shines through the smoke near Fairview, Sanpete County, on Saturday, June 23, 2012. The Wood Hollow Fire has burned more than 10,000 acres and forced the overnight evacuation of 200 homes.

The setting sun shines through the smoke, making it appear like flames thousands of feet tall near Fairview, Sanpete County, on Saturday, June 23, 2012. The Wood Hollow Fire has burned more than 10,000 acres and forced the overnight evacuation of 200 homes.

Fire approaches homes near Saratoga Springs, Utah on Friday, June 22, 2012. About 1,000 homes are being evacuated after high winds kicked up a fire near a northern Utah dump. Fire officials were calling in additional aircraft to fight the fast-moving fire near Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain. At one point, the fire threatened an explosives factory.

Emergency responders work on a wild land fire that is threatening homes in Saratoga Springs, Utah, Friday, June 22, 2012. About 1,000 homes are being evacuated after high winds kicked up a fire near a northern Utah dump. Fire officials were calling in additional aircraft to fight the fast-moving fire near Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain. At one point, the fire threatened an explosives factory.

Crews work to stop a wildfire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Crews work to stop a wildfire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Crews work to stop a wildfire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Crews work to stop a wildfire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Crews work to stop a wildfire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Crews work to stop a wildfire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Crews work to stop a wildfire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Crews work to stop a wildfire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

The Quail Fire rages in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

The Quail Fire rages in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Crews work to stop a wildfire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Crews work to stop a wildfire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Crews work to stop a wildfire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Crews work to stop the Quail Fire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

The Quail Fire rages in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

The Quail Fire rages in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

The Quail Fire rages in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

The Quail Fire rages in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Crews work to stop the Quail Fire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Crews work to stop the Quail Fire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Crews work to stop the Quail Fire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Crews work to stop the Quail Fire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Crews work to stop the Quail Fire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Crews work to stop the Quail Fire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Crews work to stop the Quail Fire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

The Quail Fire rages in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Fire burning near homes in Alpine.

Fire rages on the hillside above Alpine less than 30 minutes after the first flames appeared.

Winds in the area drove the flames up the mountainside.

A helicopter prepares to drop water to prevent the fire from moving downhill toward homes.

A helicopter on scene drops water on the edges of the Alpine fire.

Smoke and fire were dominated the view of the picturesque city of Alpine moments after the fire began.

Each gust of wind caused a new burst of flames.

Typical afternoon winds quickly drove the fire up the side of the mountain above Alpine.

A helicopter was on the scene making water drops just minutes after the Alpine fire began, but by then the flames were already out of control.

Fire responders work on a salvage yard fire near 1000 South Redwood in Salt Lake City Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Fire responders work on a salvage yard fire near 1000 South Redwood in Salt Lake City Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Fire responders work on a salvage yard fire near 1000 South Redwood in Salt Lake City Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Crews work to stop the Quail Fire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

News Media report on the Quail Fire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Jody Lopez and her daughter Rebeca watch the fire as crews work to stop the Quail Fire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Crews work to stop the Quail Fire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Scott Blackburn, left, watches the fire with his son Dustin and Chantel Blackburn as crews work to stop the Quail Fire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Desiree Williams sits on top of her mother Tonya’s buggy as they watch the fire. Crews work to stop the Quail Fire burning in Alpine Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Emergency responders work on a wildfire threatening homes in Saratoga Springs on Friday, June 22, 2012.

Two firefighters stand on a rock outcropping as flames shoot into the sky froma wildfire near Saratoga Springs Friday, June 22, 2012.

The Morgan family takes a look at the fire near Saratoga Springs just before sunset on June 22, 2012.

A crescent moon shines over the fire burning near Saratoga Springs Friday, June 22, 2012.

Residents park to watch the fire as it continues to burn near Saratoga Springs Friday, June 22, 2012 after sunset.

The Seeley Fire burns trees Wednesday, June 27, 2012 about 16 miles west of Price Utah.

The Seeley Fire burns trees Wednesday, June 27, 2012 about 16 miles west of Price Utah.

The Seeley Fire burns trees Wednesday, June 27, 2012 about 16 miles west of Price Utah.

The Seeley Fire burns trees Wednesday, June 27, 2012 about 16 miles west of Price Utah.

The Seeley Fire burns trees Wednesday, June 27, 2012 about 16 miles west of Price Utah.

The Seeley Fire burns trees Wednesday, June 27, 2012 about 16 miles west of Price Utah.

The Seeley Fire burns trees Wednesday, June 27, 2012 about 16 miles west of Price Utah.

A helicopter drops water on the Wood Hollow Fire near Birdseye, Utah, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

The Wood Hollow Fire burns near Fairview, Utah, June 26, 2012.

A couple of helicopters and hand crews continue their work on the Wood Hollow Fire Wednesday, June 27, 2012 near Fairview and Indianola.

A Skycrane helicopter flies over a hand crew as they continue their work on the Wood Hollow Fire Wednesday, June 27, 2012, near Fairview and Indianola.

This photo of the Quail Fire in Alpine was taken at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, July 4, 2012.

This photo of the Quail Fire in Alpine was taken at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, July 4, 2012.

This photo of the Quail Fire in Alpine was taken at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, July 4, 2012.

The Quail Fire rages in Alpine this past July.

The Pinyon fire burns north of Eagle Mountain and on Camp Williams Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012.

The Pinyon fire burns north of Eagle Mountain and on Camp Williams Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012.

The Pinyon fire burns north of Eagle Mountain and on Camp Williams Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012.