National Weather ServiceUtahFire Weather WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Fire Weather Watches in Utah
The National Weather Service issued 26 fire weather watches for Utah in 2025 and 21 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 13th most of any state. 2026 through September: 31, 54% above the average of 20 for those months in 2008-2025. Colorado River Basin was covered most often (136 times since 2008).
How many fire weather watches does Utah get?
Every fire weather watch that covered part of Utah. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 31 |
| 2025 | 26 |
| 2024 | 18 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2022 | 19 |
| 2021 | 41 |
| 2020 | 54 |
| 2019 | 33 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2012 | 36 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2010 | 28 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2008 | 23 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Utah get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Utah?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado River Basin | 136 | 42 | June 30, 2026 |
| Book Cliffs | 104 | 39 | June 30, 2026 |
| Southeast Utah | 104 | 39 | July 2, 2026 |
| Grand Staircase | 84 | 20 | June 26, 2026 |
| Color Country West Desert | 83 | 16 | August 2, 2026 |
| Mojave Desert | 82 | 14 | August 2, 2026 |
| Central Utah West Desert | 75 | 12 | June 26, 2026 |
| Eastern Uintah Basin | 75 | 28 | June 30, 2026 |
| San Rafael Swell | 73 | 13 | June 30, 2026 |
| Color Country Mountains | 60 | 16 | June 26, 2026 |
| Henry Mountains | 56 | 13 | June 30, 2026 |
| Salt Lake Desert | 51 | 6 | June 26, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a fire weather watch?
A fire weather watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible in the coming days; it often comes before a red flag warning. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Utah.