Governor Cox declares state of emergency as wildfires intensify

On July 31, 2025, Governor Cox signed Executive Order 2025- 08 declaring a 30-day state of emergency in response to escalating wildfires across Utah. The order, effective immediately, unlocks all available state re­sources to protect lives, homes, livestock and drinking-water sup­plies threatened by this year’s severe fire season.

Photo courtesy of the USDA Forest Service

Utah has already ex­perienced 693 fires in 2025, burning nearly 114,000 acres. The four largest active fires alone account for more than 100,000 acres burned, and sup­pression costs have surpassed $103 mil­lion across local, state and federal agencies. Twenty-two Red Flag Warning days - marked by high winds, low hu­midity and critically dry fuels - underscore the extreme conditions firefighters face. These challenges follow re­cord-low snowpack and precipitation that extended the warm, dry period in much of the state.

“Heroic efforts are underway as firefight­ers and emergency personnel work around the clock to save homes and neighborhoods,” Gov. Cox said. “We are mobilizing every tool at our disposal to support them and keep Utahns safe.”

The executive order activates the State Emergency Opera­tions Plan, authorizes the deployment of the Utah National Guard if needed, and stream­lines assistance for lo­cal governments under Utah Code §§ 53-2a- 204 and 53-2a-206.

Wildfire season re­mains in full force, and conditions are ex­treme. So far this year, 72 percent of Utah’s wildfires have been human caused. The governor reminded the public that “fire sense” saves lives and property by reducing sparks from everyday activities and help­ing firefighters focus on blazes ignited by lightning.

Public safety and firefighter safety re­main the top priority as Utah confronts the compounding threats of burn scars, debris flows, and post-fire flooding that linger long after the flames are out. The state of emergency will remain in effect for 30 days unless extended by the Legislature.