News for
August 26, 2026

 

  • Forest Service not willing to change fire danger risk on Mt. Nebo until conditions change

By Myrna Trauntvein
TN Correspondentt

Juab County Commissioners have been trying to get the United States Forest Service to declare Mt. Nebo as a high fire danger risk.

Mt. Nebo is part of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and is managed by the Spanish Fork Ranger District.

“They are not willing to change the fire danger risk until it is dryer,” Marty Palmer, commissioner, said. “We keep getting calls from our constituents but that is controlled by the Forest Service.”

A “high” fire danger rating means dry grass, needles, and leaves ignite easily, and fires start quickly from most causes. Unattended campfires or brush piles easily escape, flames spread rapidly, and short-distance spotting occurs. These fires become serious and hard to control if not stopped early.

“We have contacted all of our government representatives and have asked for their help,” said Palmer.

He said that commissioners had contacted Senator John Curtis (R-Utah), Representative Burgess Owens (R-Utah), Representative Celeste Maloy (R-UT), Representative Troy Shelley, Utah House (R-District 66), Senator Derrin R. Owens (R-District 27).

Before reporting a high-risk fire danger level, the U.S. Forest Service uses the National Fire Danger Rating System to measure fuel moisture (dryness of grass, wood, and brush), current and predicted weather (wind, temperature, humidity), and the availability of local firefighting resources.

Key factors are fuel moisture: How dry small plants, dead branches, and heavy forest debris are. Weather conditions: Air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed or gusts. Ignition potential: How easily a spark or ember can start a fire. Resource availability: The number of firefighters, engines, and aircraft ready to respond.

“We are trying to get it declared a high danger area before it is too late,” he said.