Wildfire season is a part of summer in the West. It’s up to you as a visitor to stay alert of changing conditions, evacuation orders, trail closures, and fire restrictions.
We put together this guide to help you plan your trip out West based on the fire dangers and smoke in Utah, Arizona, and Colorado.
Which fires are burning and where?
Cottonwood Fire: Beaver, Utah: 31,000 acres and 0% contained
Iron Fire: Eureka, Utah (south of Provo) 31,000 acres and 0% contained
Hastings Fire: Toole County, Utah 26,000 acres and 25% contained
Where should I get updates?
- Download the Watch Duty App. This is our number one source of up to date wildfire information with an interactive map, closures, and evacuation orders updated frequently.
- NPS air quality map here
Which parks are affected?
All of central Utah and western Colorado is currently affected by the smoke from Utah’s wildfires. Smoke is highly dependent on wind, so the air quality can suddenly change at any moment. Smoke from wildfires can travel hundreds of miles, so keep monitoring the air quality in your area.
Parks heavily affected by smoke include:
- Goblin Valley State Park
- Canyonlands and Arches National Park
- Hovenweep National Monument
- Captiol Reef National Park
- Colorado National Monument
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison
- And more
Why is wildfire smoke dangerous to breathe?
- Toxic gasses and chemicals are released as fires burn man-made structures and vegetation.
- Fine particulate matter: Many of the particles in wildfire smoke are no larger than one third the diameter of your hair. These particles are so small that they enter and lodge deep in the lungs.
- Carbon monoxide: reduces the delivery of oxygen to the body’s organs and tissues, causing dizziness, headaches, and, in high concentrations, death
- Some people are more at risk than others such as: children, pregnant women, people with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or heart disease
For more information, visit the American Lung Association website here.
If I need to change plans, where should I go instead?
If you have the option to avoid areas affected by wildfires and smoke, do it for your health and safety. Wind can change smoke conditions rapidly, so plan to be flexible and monitor current conditions.
Right now, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, and Glen Canyon National Recreation Areas remain less affected by wildfire smoke and continue to have healthy air quality. These are great parks to enjoy the desert, slot canyons, and red rocks.
If you visit Glen Canyon or Grand Staircase, visit our page to book a tour with Pronghorn Expeditions.
