Center's 4-Month Outlook Puts Arizona, Utah At Increased Fire Hazard

Published: Monday, July 3, 2017 - 4:48pm

Forecasters say the Southwest may sweat out more big blazes than first thought this summer. A new forecast calls for greater risk of significant wildfires in the region.

The National Interagency Fire Center's four-month outlook specifically puts Arizona and Utah at increased hazard.

Ed Delgado is the center’s predictive services manager. One of the reasons is: fires still have plenty of fuel.

“We’re seeing conditions starting to move more towards active fire as head towards the warmest parts of the month. We’re seeing a a lot of grass crop across the southern and western basin and parts of the southwest," Delgado said.

And that’s because of a wet winter. Another factor in the increased risk is a slight delay in the start of monsoon season.

Fires are currently burning throughout the west in Arizona, Utah California, Colorado, New Mexico and Washington state.