In a year already full of calamity, the Utah wildfire season has broken records for the most human-caused fires and fire-related expenses in Utah history. Drought, restrictions related to COVID-19 and a weak monsoon season have all conspired to create conditions for a tough fire season that just won’t end.

“We are above average. We’re only in September, and we have weeks to go in the fire season,” State Forester Brian Cottam said to the Utah Executive Appropriations Committee.

Cottam presented the current fire statistics to the committee in the Utah House of Representatives on Sept. 15 to ask for an additional $28 million for fire suppression, in addition to the already $36 million spent so far. The state’s typical fire suppression budget is around $12 million. The state has to front the money for all the fires that start on state or private land, even if those fires spill onto federally managed land. Later, the state receives some reimbursement due to cost-sharing agreements with federal agencies.

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