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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah has been low on firefighting resources in recent weeks. Due to a shortage of personnel, fire crews have only been able to monitor some of the smaller fires, particularly the Mt. Elmer fire in Logan, Third Water fire in Spanish Fork and the Grace Fire near Escalante.
Utah is one the nation's top priorities when it comes to deploying crews to fight fires due to the state's dry conditions, according to state fire officials. Officials said Utah firefighters are helping to battle flames in nearby states, mainly in Idaho.
In light of the crew shortage, firefighters from around the country are being deployed to Utah as part of an interagency cooperation among states in the Eastern Great Basin, which include Idaho, Utah, and parts of Arizona and Wyoming.
Meredith Perkins with State Forestry Fire and Lands said even with diminished resources, Utah is prepared to fight fires.
"Public safety is our top priority so we are not letting these fires get out of control. If there is any concern for property or personal safety, those fires are going to be elevated and they will have the resources that they need," Perkins said.
However, officials said that 2013 was a relatively mild and cheaper fire season compared to the previous summer. Perkins said the state spent just over 10 million dollars to fight wildfires in 2012.
Utah border fire threatening communities; Tooele fire out of control
As six wildfires burn across Utah Monday morning, Gov. Gary Hebert has called in the National Guard, and a firefighting crew from Delaware is headed to Utah to help battle wildfires.State fire officials estimate the cost will be lower this year due to mild weather conditions and firefighters keeping ahead of larger fires before they escalate.
Officials do expect several more weeks of an active fire season.
