Gov. Spencer Cox signs executive order to address Utah wildfires before they begin

SALT LAKE CITY () — As Utah warms up and inches closer to the dry season, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox issued , establishing a work group to fight wildfires before they begin.
The Working Group on Wildfire Management will be composed of state leaders from several agencies, including the Department of Natural Resources, the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, the Department of Public Safety as well as the state fire management officer and the state fire marshal.
The group will be tasked with working alongside local firefighters to create a report detailing the areas of greatest concern for large-scale wildfires. The report will also include a fire mitigation plan to reduce fuels and prevent fires from damaging state buildings and schools.
'I'm incredibly proud of Utah's firefighters and first responders. Their courage and dedication set the standard – and this executive order builds on their work by improving coordination and focusing our efforts where they're needed most,' said Cox. 'This is about making sure we're ready before the next fire season begins.'
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During the 2024 wildfire season, Utah saw throughout the state. Over 700 of those fires were human-caused, including the devastating , which burned over 33,000 acres for nearly six weeks before being fully contained in November.
The Governor's Office said the executive order builds on the campaign, which reportedly helped reduce human-caused wildfires by nearly 75% from 2020 to 2023.
Wildfires can do more than wreak havoc on Utah's landscape. The Governor's Office said post-fire risks, including flooding and debris flows, can devastate a community long after the fire has been extinguished.
'When it comes to wildfires, the unexpected has become the new normal,' Jamie Barnes, State Forester and Director of the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands, said in a statement. 'Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of our planning efforts can help reduce risks to watersheds and landscapes across the state – and strengthen our overall wildfire preparedness.'
Finally, Gov. Cox's executive order encourages Utahns to be prepared for the wildfire season by making a plan and preparing an emergency supply kit. This includes knowing evacuation routes, helping maintain access to fire hydrants, and creating 'defensible spaces' around homes.
To learn more on what you can do to be prepared for wildfire season, visit and .
The Governor's full executive order can be found below:
EO-Fire-Preparedness-04212025Download
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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