A massive wildfire in Utah's Juab county has forced the evacuation of Eureka, a town of 1,000 residents, due to extreme heat and dry conditions. The fire, known as the Iron fire, has blackened over 2,000 acres and is being investigated as a human-caused incident.
No homes have been lost, and firefighters conducted a successful operation to protect the town. However, the fire remains a concern, with Utah Fire Info warning that it is continuing to grow amid drought conditions.
The extreme heat and dry conditions are not limited to Utah, with multiple wildfires burning across the US west. In neighboring Colorado, a red-flag warning was issued due to gusty winds and low relative humidity. A wildfire prompted evacuations near Sedona, Arizona, burning about 300 acres of steep and rugged terrain.
The prolonged dry, hot weather and relatively low humidity have increased the risk of fire danger across the region. Much of Utah is experiencing severe to extreme drought, while parts of Arizona and Colorado are experiencing severe drought, according to the US Drought Monitor.
Residents of Eureka were told to evacuate the area due to the risk of the fire spreading. The town's residents were forced to leave their homes on short notice, with some being relocated to nearby shelters. The evacuation order is in place until further notice, and residents will be allowed to return home when it is deemed safe to do so.