Cox asks Utahns to pray for rain, as fire restrictions expand in Utah amid drought

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox is once again calling on Utahns to pray for rain, as drought conditions worsen across the state and "wildfire risks escalate."

Cox declared Sunday to be a "statewide day of prayer and fasting for rain," and asked Utahns of all faiths to participate.

"Utah is facing a tough season, and we need both divine help and practical action," he said in a statement. "I invite every Utahn, whatever your faith or belief system, to join me this Sunday in a unified fast and prayer for rain."

The declaration comes as over 90% of Utah is now in moderate or severe drought, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported on Thursday. The rest of the state is considered "abnormally dry."

At the same time, fires have burned over 43,300 acres of land in Utah this year, which is about half of the total acreage burned in 2024 and double the total during a quieter 2023.

Most of that comes from the France Canyon and the Forsyth fires burning in southern Utah. The latter destroyed 18 structures, including 14 primary or secondary homes, as it reached Pine Valley, Washington County. Additional fires have been reported all over the state, including one sparked by fireworks that briefly evacuated a Utah County neighborhood.

The situation led State Fire Management Office Brett Ostler and State Forester Jamie Barnes to issue Stage 1 fire restrictions across all state and unincorporated lands, adding to restrictions already in place across many federal lands in the state. The order, which goes into effect on Saturday, prohibits a few things, largely anything that can start a fire.

"Our forests and rangelands at all elevations are drying out quickly, making it easier for wildfires to ignite and spread—especially on windy days," Ostler said.

Similar orders have been issued at all five of Utah's national parks, as well as Cedar Breaks, Glen Canyon, Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments and recreation areas. Dixie, Fishlake and Manti-La Sal national forests also have restrictions, as do the Arizona Strip, Color Country, Canyon Country, Green River, Paria River and West Desert districts within Bureau of Land Management land.

In addition to prayers, the governor urged residents to find ways to reduce water waste, such as fixing leaks inside their homes or watering their lawns less. Utah's statewide reservoir system peaked at 87% capacity at the end of this year's spring snowmelt, but that figure has now slipped to 81%. That's nine percentage points above the median June average, yet eight points below the average last year, according to state data.

"Small actions, taken together, can make a big difference for our stats," he said.

Cox, who made a similar call for rain amid an even more extreme drought in 2021, issued a pair of emergency declarations tied to drought and wildfire risk earlier this year. One called for a wildfire preparedness review; the other opened up some drought-related resources and called for actions to conserve water.

Both have since expired since they were not extended by the Utah Legislature.

The state's prayers could soon be answered. Mostly hot and dry conditions are forecast throughout Utah this weekend, but weather models still hint that some monsoonal moisture could reach the state next week.

KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson said the initial wave might not be strong, but it could open the door for more storms this summer. Some of the initial wave could reach up toward the Wasatch Front by midweek, although current probabilities aren't as strong.

The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center also lists Utah as having a "slight risk" of heavy precipitation next week, warning that storms could produce flash flooding, including during the Fourth of July weekend.

Full seven-day forecasts for areas across Utah can be found at the KSL Weather Center.

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