National Weather Service issues fire weather warning, wind advisory for Southern Utah

Stock image, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City issued a red flag warning and wind advisory in locations throughout Southern Utah.

Shaded area shows where the fire weather warning is in effect | Map courtesy of National Weather Service, St. George News

A red flag warning issued early Monday morning remains in effect until 10 p.m. for Washington, Iron and Beaver counties for wind and low relative humidity. The weather service forecasts southwest winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph and relative humidity as low as 7%.

Critical fire weather conditions will occur. Any new fire starts or existing fires may spread rapidly.

On Sunday, the weather service also issued a wind advisory for Kane and Garfield counties in effect until 9 p.m. Monday. Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph are expected in the areas of San Rafael Swell, Capitol Reef National Park, Western Canyonlands and Glen Canyon Recreation
Area/Lake Powell.

The weather service warns that gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. A few power outages are possible. Patchy blowing dust is possible, which may cause reduced visibility as well as rapid fluctuations in visibility.

Winds will cause difficult travel conditions for high-profile vehicles and vehicles with trailers, especially
along east to west oriented routes. Gusty winds will cause rough conditions on area waterways, including Lake Powell. Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur.

Precautions and preparedness

If you are traveling or planning to recreate using ATVs or similar vehicles, take the following precautions to avoid starting a wildfire:

  • Avoid driving or parking your vehicle in tall grass.
  • Never throw a lighted cigarette out of a vehicle.
  • When pulling a trailer, attach safety chains securely; loose chains can drag on the pavement and cause sparks, igniting roadside fires.
  • Look behind you before driving away from fire-sensitive locations such as areas with tall grass or campsites to check for signs of a developing fire.
  • Always use a spark arrester on internal combustion engines.

Heat-related precautions

According to statistics provided by the National Weather Service, heat is the No. 1 weather-related killer in the U.S. The data shows that heat causes more fatalities per year than floods, lightning, tornadoes and hurricanes combined.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency – call 911.

Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. This is especially true during warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.

Energy efficiency

With the excessive heat will also come the cranking up of air conditioners. Due to this, the Energy Services Department of the city of St. George has offered tips on how to practice energy efficiency to save on those cooling costs.

  • Set the thermostat to 78 degrees and use fans to provide a wind chill effect, making the room feel cooler and more comfortable.
  • Avoid using the oven for cooking. Using the microwave or grilling outside avoids adding extra heat to your home.
  • Close the window coverings, particularly on south and west-facing windows to reduce the amount of heat coming in from the sun.

For the most current conditions, warnings and advisories, go to the National Weather Service-Salt Lake City office website.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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