Powerful wind gusts, extremely low humidity and the threat of dry lightning are fueling an outbreak of large wildfires across the Southwest.
Through the week leading up to the Fourth of July holiday, continued dry and breezy conditions will provide little relief for firefighters battling blazes across the region while also increasing the risk for new fire starts.
Multiple fires exceeding 10,000 acres have erupted over the past week with some of the most significant burning across Utah. The Cherry and Iron Fires southwest of Provo, along with the Cottonwood Fire in south-central Utah, are among the largest active wildfires. Strong winds have allowed flames to spread quickly at times while carrying thick plumes of smoke hundreds of miles downstream.
The weather pattern responsible for the heightened wildfire danger is expected to persist through much of the week. Moisture-starved storm systems tracking inland from the Pacific Ocean into the Rockies will continue to generate gusty winds while offering little meaningful rainfall.
Instead, some thunderstorms may produce lightning with little to no precipitation, creating the potential for additional wildfire ignitions across dry vegetation.
