Utah’s unseasonably hot weather will get worse this week, according to the National Weather Service.
“No easy way to say this, so we’ll just cut straight to the chase: it’s going to be *very* hot for a *long time* next week,” tweeted the NWS on Friday. The NWS says Tuesday will likely hit 105 degrees in Salt Lake City.
An excessive heat warning is in place for much of the state starting on Monday. That means that places including Moab, Provo and Vernal will experience dangerously high temperatures. Residents should avoid direct sunlight, stay hydrated and check on older neighbors and relatives. It is critical that children and pets not be left alone in cars.
The coming heat wave is bad news for fire mitigation efforts. Heat and wind will mean more fire risk at a time when multiple blazes are already burning thousands of acres.
Several of the active blazes were human caused. The Pack Creek Fire, which has burned over 5,000 acres, was caused by an abandoned campsite, according to Utah Fire Info. Utah Fire Info is asking people to be careful this weekend and never leave fires unattended.
Open fires are not allowed on state land unless they are inside a permanent fire pit, under a state order.
